Mark Corey made his Major League debut tonight in Dennis Cook’s old No. 27 jersey. He became the 44th and probably last Met to play on this strange, ill-fated 2001 Mets team.
(More) Tides Roll In
Norfolk’s dismissal in the International League playoffs results in 4 additional call-ups. Returning are Alex Escobar 25 and Dicky Gonzalez 39. New to the squad are catcher Jason Phillips 26 and reliever Mark Corey 27.
Tides Roll In
The Mets made their first September call to Norfolk, bringing back brief vistors Jorge Toca 30 and Tom Martin 34, as well as Pete Walker. Walker first appeared in a Met uni six years ago wearing No. 49; Now, he wears 43. Also, the Mets recalled Timo Perez 6 after Benny Agbayani 50 went down with a busted hamhock. More Tides may be on their way after the AAA playoffs — stay tuned.
In a different deal Saturday, the Mets acqured local lefty and erstwhile Website operator C.J. Nitkowski for the ever-popular Player To Be Named Later. Nikowski wears No. 40.Nitkowski, by my records, became the 666th career Met. Cool!
Ricky Done Lose That Number
The Mets at the deadline traded good-guy righty Rick Reed 35 to the Twins (yes, the Twins) for outfielder Matt Lawton. Lawton, perhaps the outfielder the Mets needed all along, will wear No. 23, most recently occupied by Brian Rose.
Also, Gary Bennett 7 was sent to Norfolk (and subsequently traded to the Rockies for a player to be named) and Donne Wall 33 returned.
Go Get the Braves
The Mets tonight in a bold stroke traded the veteran relievers as responsible for the team’s success as any two Mets over the last three years. We’ll miss whacky Turk Wendell, a MBTN original at 99; and the even nuttier Dennis Cook 27. In return, the Mets receive potentially good lefty pitchers Bruce Chen and Adam Walker. Chen takes No. 32. Walker goes to the Minors in the meantime and Grant Roberts 36 takes his place.
Turk and Cook join another struggling symbol of the good old days Todd Pratt, traded days earlier to Philadelphia for another backup backstop, Gary Bennett. The straight-up uni-swap dressed Bennett in Todd’s old No. 7. We’ll miss Pratt. In addition to THE homer, it was Pratt’s goofy fate to have hit home runs in his first and last at-bat as a Met. All four of these guys had real character and brought us a lot of great memories.
Sparkling
Any coincidence the Mets’ fortunes reversed at around the same time that Tsuyoshi Shinjo 5 returned? Mr. Sparkle returned from the DL and the disappointing Timo Perez 6 was optioned to Norfolk Somewhere in there, Jerrod Riggan 38 bounced back from Norfolk whileDonna Wall 33 was sentenced to an International League tour.
We’re Back
MBTN is back from a two-week break, during which we missed some moves, but not much fun. Here’s a quick chronological rundown.
June 24: Optioned Dicky Gonzalez 39 to Norfolk; recalled Jerrod Riggan 38.
June 25: Optioned Riggan; recalled Grant Roberts 36.
June 26: Optioned Alex Escobar 25 to Norfolk; activated Jay Payton 44 from the DL.
June 30: Designated Darryl Hamilton 18 for assignment (See ya!); recalled Vance Wilson 3 from Norfolk.
July 3: Activated Edgardo Alfonzo 13 from the DL; placed Jorge Velandia 11 on the DL.
July 4: Activated Donne Wall 33 from the DL; optioned Roberts to Norfolk.
Broken
The bleakest All-Star break in recent memory arrives today with the Mets’ continuing to struggle. It’s getting to be one of those years when uni-number tracking will become the most exciting thing about following this team, so stick with us.
Shinjo-Oh
Mets action figure Tsuyoshi Shinjo 5 hustled his way onto the disabled list today, becoming the 5th Mets outfielder to do so this year. Back from Norfolk to take his place is uberphenom Alex Escobar 25.
Uncool
It’s not looking good in Metville, where Edgardo Alfonzo 13 and his achin’ back are off to the Disabled List. The Mets called up infield backup Jorge Velandia 11 to take his place. Velandia wore No. 11 in a brief appearance last season.
