Archive for July 2008

Here We Go Again

Ryan Church is headed back to the DL, and Nick Evans has been recalled.

If you’re following the numbers you’ll know this creates a minor controversy in that Evans number the last time he was up — 6 — belongs currently to Trot Nixon. But as spied on tonight’s telecast, Evans was back in No. 6. While the prospect of this issue coming to a head upon Nixon’s return to the team is unlikely — you’d figure Evans would be the first in line for demotion when Trot is eligible to return following the All-Star Break — but with Chris Aguila and Argenis Reyes hanging around, and Marlon Anderson barely hanging on to his pinch-hitting role, it’s no sure thing.

While commenters below have pointed out that Evans and Nixon could conceivably share a number, I figure the Mets would ask one or the other to consider other availables: 8(will they ever get to Gary Carter Day?); 12 (most recently belonging to Willie Randolph); 16 (another disabled outfielder, Angel Pagan); 22 (nominally still awaiting a return of Jose Valentin); 32 (recently demoted pitcher Carlos Muniz). Perhaps 43?

Anyway, get well already, Churchy.

* * *

The below post suggested the series in Philadelphia over the weekend could reveal much about the Mets, and most of it was good, even if the opener on July 4 had me mentally throw in the towel, at least for the time being. They have an opportunity now to make hay right into the break and for the first time they look like they’re capable. I mean, they convincingly beat a team that was worse then them for the first time in months.

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Touching Base

The Mets saved their season with two great wins this weekend after nearly burning it all away Friday.

Quick note to point out Jesse Spector’s Touching Base Column in the Daily News Sunday, which did a nice job on the proliferation of Mets No. 6s. Also, a reminder that I will be at the Queens Library in Flushing tonight (Monday, July 7), around 6 p.m., to speak about the Mets, baseball and writing with Greg Spira, co-editor of Meet the Mets. 41-17 Main Street, (718) 661-1200.

Just in case the AL needs to win home-field advantage in the late innings, Billy Wagner will be representing the Mets at the All-Star game. Has there been a more unlikeable Met than Wags? Or is it just me?

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Four Play

Late in tonight’s satisfying blowout over the wretched St. Louis Cardinals, Argenis Reyes made his Mets debut wearing the No. 4 jersey most recently belonging to chubby backup catcher Robinson Cancel. Reyes, a singles-hitting middle infielder and a veteran of the Cleveland farm system, had a nice first spring training with the Mets and gets an opportunity while Luis Castillo rests up a quad or something on the disabled list.

Arriving along with Reyes was outfielder Chris Aguila, swapped in for reliever Carlos Muniz, still smarting from Troy Glaus’ game-ending home run Wednesday night.

Aguila, interestingly, is back in the same No. 29 jersey he wore in his brief appearance last month; the Mets had since issued 29 to Andy Phillips, whom they claimed on waivers from Cincinnati a week ago, designated for assignment on Monday, and, we learned today, subsequently lost back to the Reds on a waiver claim.

So, after a 2-2 split in the four-gamer in St. Louis, the Mets arrive in Brotherly Lovetown Friday to for more fourplay: This may (or may not) say something about where the team is headed.

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Toe, Knee, Arm, Ass

After a solid half-season rehabbing his career in AAA, the Mets rewarded Tony Armas with his first big-league appearance of the year. Tonight’s start in St. Louis (off to a shaky start as I write) is designed to provide a bit of rest for a stretched-out rotation, after which it is expected Armas will stay with the club filling the long-relief role previously filled by Claudio VargasNelson Figueroa and Jorge Sosa. Armas appears tonight in No. 44 — the same jersey he wore this spring that was later issued to Brady Clark when Clark when the trip north and Armas did not.

Leave it Greg Prince of Faith & Fear in Flushing to point out the last time No. 44 appeared on the back of a Mets pitcher it was the Mercury Mets and Jason Isringhausen — who made his last appearance for the Mets wearing that jersey in July of 1999. That and a lot more.

Meantime, MBTN reader Paul C., aka King Of All Screen Capturers, delivers the above image of Isringhausen’s unique Mercury Mets look — condensed fonts don’t exist in the future, doncha know.

To make room for Armas the Mets designated infielder Andy Phillipsfor assignment — easy come, easy go — and are gambling a short bench won’t bite them in the butt before Moises Alou makes a return. Yes, they’re counting on that again. Yes, the Met offense is collapsing under the anticipation of his return once again.

Talkin’ baseball: Join me in Flushing this coming Monday, July 7, as I appear along with Greg Spira, co-editor of Meet the Mets, in a discussion about the Mets, baseball, books and anything else. We will have books for sale and/or signature (including Matt Silverman’s Mets Essential and 100 Things), and afterward, I’ll be happy to join you for a beer to watch the Mets-Phillies game.

Details: 6 p.m., Monday July 7 at the Queens Library — Flushing , 41-17 Main Street, (718) 661-1200.

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