Thanks to several contributors who pointed out the news that the Mets sometime on Friday updated the roster on the web site with new number assignments, some of them quite interesting.
There’s a lot of new numbers and names to align, so let’s just go numerically on up the line. I’llbold the changes and newbies and add commentary where necessary:
1 Luis Casillo, 2B
2 Sandy Alomar Sr. (coach)
3 Cory Sullivan, OF
— I’d have guessed this number would have gone to Alex Cora
4 Robinson Cancel, C
5 David Wright, 3B
6 Nick Evans, OF
7 Jose Reyes, SS
8 Vacant
— For yet another season.
9 Marlon Anderson
10 Andy Green, INF
— Lowest number for an NRI. Most recently belonged to Endy Chavez.
11 Ramon Castro, C
12 Alex Cora, INF
— Interesting that they gave away Willie Randolph’s jersey so quickly
13 Billy Wagner, P
14 Retired (Gil Hodes)
15 Carlos Beltran, OF
16 Angel Pagan, OF
17 Fernando Tatis
18 Jeremy Reed, OF
— A former No. 8 with Seattle, further evidence it remains unavailable to Mets yet still unretired
19 Ryan Church, OF
20 Howard Johnson, coach
— I’d have bet big that HoJo would change for Putz but no
21 Carlos Delgado, 1B
22 JJ Putz, RP
— He changed from the 40 he modeled at the press conference after all, just not to the number we suspected. Our last 22 was infielder Ramon Martinez, the would-be hero of 2008’s final week.
23 Brian Schneider, C
24 Vacant
— For now?
25 Pedro Feliciano, P
26 Rob Mackowiak, OF
— Would be first since Orlando Hernandez and his bunion
27 Nelson Figueroa, P
28 Daniel Murphy, OF
29 Connor Robertson, P
— Four players wore it last year (Sosa, Aguila, Phillips, Molina)
30 Rocky Cherry, P
— I hope this guy is good enough to make the squad
31 Vacant
— Awaiting retirement
32 Carlos Muniz, P
33 John Maine, P
34 Mike Pelfrey, P
35 Brandon Knight, P
— This would be Knight’s third different number in as many appearances with the Mets if he can crack the squad. Most recently belonged to Joe Smith
36 Darren O’Day
— Issued twice last year (Willie Collazo, Al Reyes) but never appeared
37 Retired
38 Tom Martin
–Wore 34 as a Met in 2001
39 Bobby Parnell
40 Eddie Kunz
— Most recently in 44
41 Retired
42 Retired
43 Brian Stokes
44 Tim Redding
45 Vacant
— For Pedro?
46 Vacant
— For Ollie?
47 Casey Fossum, P
— Would be first issue since Glavine
48 Sean Green, P
— Makes the Hielman trade a DUD (Del Unser Deal, or Uni-Swap)
49 Jonathon Niese, P
50 Duaner Sanchez, P
51 Vacant
— Probably, a coach
52 Vacant
— Probably, a coach
53 Jerry Manuel, Manager
— I thought dropping the interim tag might lead him to choosing his own
54 Dave Racianello, coach
55 Vacant
— Probably, a coach
56 Freddy Garcia
— As noted, a 34 everywhere else
57 Johan Santana, P
58 Sandy Alomar Jr., coach
59 Dan Warthen, coach
60 Vacant
61 Livan Hernandez, P
62 Bobby Keilty, OF
63 Michel Abreu, 1B
64 Vacant
65 Kyle Snyder, P
66 Matt DeSalvo, P
67 Fernando Martinez, OF
— Lowest of the real prospects
68 Heriberto Ruelas, P
— Never heard of him until just now
69 Vacant
70 Jon Switzer, P
71 Toby Stoner, P
72 Adam Bostick, P
73 Dillon Gee, P
74 Vacant
75 Francisco Rodriguez, P
76 Omir Santos, C
77 Rene Rivera, C
78 Josh Thole, C
79 Jose Coronado, INF
**
99 Jose Valentin, 2B
Unassigned numbers: Ps Michal Antonini, Tony Armas; Valerio De Los Santos; infielder Ramon Martinez (he’s back); coaches Razor Shines, Luis Alicea, and Randy Niemann.
Submitted by Dennis (not verified) on Sat, 01/31/2009 – 7:40am.
You forgot #57 – Johan Santana
delete edit reply report to Mollom
Also unassigned: coaches
Submitted by Ranjrz5 on Sat, 01/31/2009 – 9:38am.
Also unassigned: coaches Razor Shines, Luis Alicea, and Randy Niemann.
delete edit reply report to Mollom
Thanks!
Submitted by Jon Springer on Sat, 01/31/2009 – 12:35pm.
Thanks!
delete edit reply report to Mollom
>> 26 Rob Mackowiak, OF —
Submitted by Gene F. on Sat, 01/31/2009 – 3:06pm.
>> 26 Rob Mackowiak, OF
— Would be first since Orlando Hernandez and his bunion << I think Hernandez wore 26, and the bunion wore 10 1/2 EEE. Let's get 24 on Manny already. delete edit reply report to Mollom Note Robinson Cancel is Submitted by Dave Mackey (not verified) on Sat, 01/31/2009 - 3:27pm. Note Robinson Cancel is going back to 4 after spending the second half of the season in 40 due to a conflict with Argenis Reyes. delete edit reply report to Mollom - Figueroa is 27 (he is Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/01/2009 - 2:45pm. - Figueroa is 27 (he is listed twice on mets.com, but one of the listings has the number) - Despite mets.com stating otherwise, Sandy Alomar Jr. is 58 (he wore it last year) - 59 is Dan Warthen - 63 is Michel Abreu - 71 is Tobi Stoner My guesses: - Niemann takes 52 (wore it in a previous stint) - 51 and 55 go to Alicea and Shines - 60 or 62 goes to batting practice pitcher Juan Lopez - the remaining of 60 and 62, plus 61 and 64 go to Kielty, De Los Santos, and Armas - 74 goes to Antonini delete edit reply report to Mollom I have said it before and Submitted by Adam (not verified) on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 4:17pm. I have said it before and got ridiculed by several other posters. Mets or Charlie Samuels (in this case they are one in the same) are holding number 8 out in the expectation that one day they will retire Gary Carter's number as a Met. They stopped issuing this number when he started getting closer and closer to election in Cooperstown. Wouldn't be surprised if Fossum does not end up with a different number if he eventually makes the big league team in honor of Glavine whom the Wilpon's always had a man-crush on. delete edit reply report to Mollom Dust off #46... Looks like Submitted by Ranjrz5 on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 6:13pm. Dust off #46... Looks like Perez is back. delete edit reply report to Mollom I think HoJo will give JJ Submitted by keith (not verified) on Sat, 02/07/2009 - 4:58pm. I think HoJo will give JJ Putz #20 when the season start. Welcoming him to NY. Its not like HoJo to keep it from a star player. ( I would think ) delete edit reply report to Mollom Thanks for the update, it is Submitted by Matt (not verified) on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 10:28am. Thanks for the update, it is interesting to see how things change on a team in just a little amount of time. nice post. delete edit reply report to Mollom 20, 22 and 61 Submitted by Gene F. on Sat, 02/14/2009 - 5:46pm. Putzie Weber said that he learned his lesson from the LaTroy Hawkins debacle last year, and will not have anything to do with separating fan favorite HoJo from #20. He will stay in 22. The Leiter, Clendenon and McReynolds fan clubs have yet to weigh in on this issue. Meanwhile, Livan Hernandez will be in camp after signing a minor-league deal. He shall be Livan, and he shall be a good man, and he shall wear #61 as he always has. delete edit reply report to Mollom 61* Submitted by Gene F. on Sun, 02/15/2009 - 10:57pm. Visual confirmation of Livan Hernandez in 61 on SNY tonight. delete edit reply report to Mollom What a breath of fresh air! Submitted by Frank (not verified) on Tue, 02/17/2009 - 4:21pm. What a breath of fresh air! I think that things are really gonna pick up this upcoming season and I can't wait! It's seemed like an eternity since last season. delete edit reply report to Mollom I have said it before and Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 03/02/2009 - 11:19am. I have said it before and got ridiculed by several other posters. Mets or Charlie Samuels (in this case they are one in the same) are holding number 8 out in the expectation that one day they will retire Gary Carter's number as a Met.