So the Mets today went ahead and called up Fernando Martinez from Buffalo and started the 20-year-old in right field against the Nationals. He was issued No. 26 — a number Met fans of my generation will probably always associate with Dave Kingman. Some commenters have already speculated that won’t be a long-term placement, given Ramon Martinez had a one-game appearance in 26 only a week ago, and I suppose I wouldn’t be surprised at some point for a change. I get a single-digit or teens feel from him. But we’ll see.
He was recalled to take the place of Ryan Church, now an unhappy resident of the disabled list. He’s joined there by Jose Reyes whose absense — along with Ramon Martinez‘s shaky credentials as a capable backup — prommpted the Mets to make a deal with the Indians for their AAA shortstop, Wilson Valdez, once they agreed on the number of balls that make up a bag. Valdez was issued No. 4.
The Mets went and won handily, getting an RBI groundout from Fartinez, a three-run homer fromGary Sheffield, doubles from Ramon Martinez and Omir Santos, and a complete-game from Livan Hernandez. None of these men were in even the wildest imaginations of Met fans as recently as March.
Submitted by Gordon Handler (not verified) on Wed, 05/27/2009 – 4:57pm.
Since they had a Martinez 26 jersey laying around from Ramon’s one night stand, I guess it made sense to give it to Fernando. That assumes that they made up a home and away set for Ramon. Wonder what they’d do if Pedro came back?
Submitted by Keith (not verified) on Wed, 05/27/2009 – 8:54pm.
I was unhappy to see him in 26. Do you think he would change it. Before you know it you will be see 26 Martinez t-shirts in stores. — JUST GIVE HIM 24 —-
Fartinez
Submitted by isles727 (not verified) on Wed, 05/27/2009 – 9:48pm.
According to Marty Noble’s MLBlog, Fernando wore 67 tonight. I didn’t see the game, I don’t know if this is right. But would this be the first 67 in Mets history?
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Noble is great, but he is
Submitted by Matt B (not verified) on Thu, 05/28/2009 – 5:08am.
Noble is great, but he is wrong about him wearing #67. He was wearing #26 again.
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Strange
Submitted by Jon Springer on Thu, 05/28/2009 – 5:58am.
That’s an odd error to have made. But a couple of things — that post was written prior to Tuesday’s game, and not by Marty but by his 2nd banana. Marty seems to have gone missing.
Martinez wore 67 during spring training this year. Yup, would have been the first.
Castro and Broadway
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/29/2009 – 10:12pm.
Now that Castro has been traded, who will be the next # 11? Also, Broadway wore 41 for the Sox. No way he gets that here, obviously.