Quick note to report the Mets have assigned a few more numbers. Chris Young will wear No. 55, becoming the first non-coach in 55 since Pedro Feliciano recieved it in a trade for Sha
wn Estes. Scott Hairston will wear No. 12 his digits in San Diego last year.
Also assigned numbers today are NRIs: Russ Adams (4); Ryota Igarashi (18); Raul Chavez (19); Willie Harris (22); Blaine Boyer (23); Boof Bonser (27); Tim Byrdak (40); Taylor Tankersley (47); Michael O’Connor (50) and Dusty Ryan (62).
Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you got till it’s gone? Like for instance Rafael Arroyo. Even though I was vaguely aware of the Mets’ bullpen catcher last year, I’d never created a record for him here, and so his year as only the fourth man in team history to wear No. 58 went sadly unacknowledged. That was until the other day when I updated the spring roster for the first time and two sharp-eyed readers let me on what I’d missed. First, Jason pointed out that I’d forgotten to add him. Separately, Conor directed me to a missive from Met beat writer Adam Rubin, suggesting that Arroyo in fact had been fired, even though his number still appears on the Mets’ official roster.
I found out that latter piece by the way within the first moments I’d established a presence on Twitter, as I’m finally coming around to realize it might be worth the additional competition for my attention to be engaged in the stream of rapid-fire discussion and news that’s been pretty much going on without me for years now. You can find me observing the talk and passing along updates on the Mets (and maybe other stuff too) at Springer66. Feel free to follow and tell your friends.
Arroyo was a young veteran of the Mets’ system. Drafted in the 26th round of the 2004 draft out of Cal State-L.A., Arroyo spent six years up and down the Mets system, from Kingsport to Hagerstown to St. Lucie to Binghamton to Buffalo, but never exceeding the the .258/.425/.460 line he put up over 42 games at Rookie League Kingsport in ’04. He was released but subsequently named as a second bullpen catcher during spring training last year. Listed at 5-foot-8 and 175-pounds, Arroyo was a star at Monroe High in North Hills, Calif., and came up through a program that found scholarships for inner-city L.A. kids. According to Rubin, the Mets sent Arroyo to shadow Oliver Perez while the unloved lefty tried working out his problems in the Mexican League this winter only to inform him that he’d lost his job upon his return (if only it was the other way around). It’s not clear whether these moves Rubin reported are complete and/or official yet, and we’ll try and remember to update it when we know.
Two web sites are counting down days to pitchers & catchers with a Met-numerical countdown: Mets Today, which also recently had a note on the MBTN book that was nice to see; as well as Amazin Avenue. These remind me it’s the time of year we try and tidy up the place around here as we head toward our 12th birthday and are sparking some personal interest in the Mets again after coming to realize just how much the Jerry Manuel Era managed to take out of me. That and the Jets loss.
More to come!
Hey, check it out! The Mets issued a new roster loaded with new numbers. Interesting additions include Ronny Paulino wearing No. 9; Chin-Lung Hu at 17; pitchers Taylor Buchholz (33) Chris Capuano 38 although we argued for 47); and D.J. Carrasco on track to become the first No. 77 in Mets history. A group of contenders for roster slots is as usual dressed in the 60s, and the coaching staff includes new numbers for Dave Hudgens (52); Mookie Wilson (53 – really?); Ken Oberkfell (55); Jon Debus (56); and bullpen catcher Rafael Arroyo (58).
Still anticipating new issues for pitcher Chris Young and outfielder Scott Hairston, the latest additions to the squad, as well as uniforms for non-roster invitees: Pitchers Boof Bonser, Taylor Tankersley and Michael O’Connor; infielder Russ Adams; and outfielder Willie Harris. Pitcher Ryota Igarashi, who was dropped from the 40-man roster and waived earlier this winter, is not listed with the NRIs but we’d expect to see him in 18 at camp. Ike Davis is still listed in 29, but 20 is vacant, so watch that space.
Current numerical roster (recent additions in bold):
1 Luis Castillo, 2B
2 Justin Turner, 2B
3 Luis Hernandez, INF
4 Vacant
5 David Wright, 3B
6 Nick Evans, OF
7 Jose Reyes, SS
8 Vacant
9 Ronny Paulino, C
10 Terry Collins, manager
11 Ruben Tejada, INF
12 Vacant
13 Mike Nickeas, C
14 Retired
15 Carlos Beltran, OF
16 Angel Pagan, OF
17 Chin-Lung Hu, INF
18 Ryota Igarashi, P
19 Vacant
20 Vacant
21 Lucas Duda, OF
22 Vacant
23 Vacant
24 Vacant
25 Vacant
26 Fernando Martinez, OF
27 Vacant
28 Daniel Murphy, 1B-2B-OF
29 Ike Davis, 1B
30 Josh Thole, C
31 Vacant
32 Jenrry Mejia, P
33 Taylor Buchholz, P
34 Mike Pelfrey, P
35 Dillon Gee, P
36 Manny Acosta, P
37 Retired
38 Chris Capuano, P
39 Bobby Parnell, P
40 Vacant
41 Retired
42 Retired
43 R.A. Dickey, P
44 Jason Bay, OF
45 Vacant
46 Oliver Perez, P
47 Vacant
48 Pat Misch, P
49 Jon Niese, P
50 Vacant
51 Chip Hale, 3rd base Coach
52 Dave Hudgens, hitting coach
53 Mookie Wilson, first base coach
54 Dave Racaniello, Bullpen Catcher
55 Ken Oberkfell, bench coach
56 Jon Debus, bullpen coach
57 Johan Santana, P
58 Rafael Arroyo, bullpen catcher
59 Dan Warthen, pitching coach
60-62 Vacant
63 Jordanny Valdespin, INF
64 Josh Stinson, P
65 Zach Lutz, INF
66 Armando Rodriguez, P
67 Manny Alvarez, P
68 Brad Emaus, 2B
69 Vacant
70 Pedro Beato, P
71-74 Vacant
75 Francisco Rodriguez, P
76 Vacant
77 DJ Carrasco, P
78-99 Vacant
The acquisition of Duke grad Chris Capuano, along with the pursuit of Princeton’s Chris Young, to join erudite hurler R.A. Dickey on the Mets pitching staff this year has sparked some discussion about the Mets’ potential to lead the Majors next year in Cogitations Above Replacement and Earned Degree Average. Although this wouldn’t mark the first time the Mets had a brainiac in the bullpen.
Original Met Jay Hook was the Mets first wearer of the No. 47 jersey. He studied mechanical engineering at Northwestern University and understood the physics of the curve ball. When he explained it to the New York Times he became something of a sensation and was contacted by a company then known as Sarcotherm Controls, a manufacturer of steam traps and other industrial temperature control products based in New York. Sarco contracted Hook to expand on his ideas in a quarterly magazine it distributed to its customers. Don’t ask why, but my dad happened to acquire a copy, and saved the cover and an inside page, displayed below:
Jay’s illustrations of the physics phenomenon known as Bernoulli’s Principle (it would take a scientist to explain) would famously come back and bite him when after a bad outing weeks later Casey Stengel remarked “It’s wonderful that he knows how a curveball works. Now if he could only throw one.”
Capuano, by the way, wore No. 39 in Milwaukee, but that number belongs to Bobby Parnell today. In honor of Hook, we’d like to remind the Mets that 47 is available.
Sarco still exists, sort of too.
Happy Holidays! I just finished a busy stretch with work etc. and am celebrating my first morning off with the first numerical roster of the 2011 season. As you’ll see below, there are plenty of vacancies as well as unassigned players at this point, and at least one seeming controversy: 40-man rosteree Tobi Stoner and first baseman Ike Davis are both listed as wearing No. 29, though as reported here frequently we’d be surprised if Davis is not wearing the newly sprung No. 20 when the games begin.
Unassigned players on the 40-man roster:
Manny Alvarez, P
Pedro Beato, P
D.J. Carrasco, P
Armando Rodriguez, P
Josh Stinson, P
Tobi Stoner, P
Ronny Paulino, C
Brad Emaus, INF
Zach Lutz, INF
Jordanny Valdespin, INF
Dave Hudgens, hitting coach
Mookie Wilson, first base coach
Ken Oberkfell, bench coach
Jon Debus, bullpen coach
Current numerical roster:
1 Luis Castillo, 2B
2 Justin Turner, 2B
3 Luis Hernandez, INF
4 Vacant (was Henry Blanco, who signed with Arizona)
5 David Wright, 3B
6 Nick Evans, OF
7 Jose Reyes, SS
8 Vacant
9 Vacant (was Omir Santos, who signed a minor league deal with Detroit)
10 Terry Collins, manager
11 Ruben Tejada, INF
12 Vacant (was Joaquin Arias)
13 Mike Nickeas, C
14 Retired
15 Carlos Beltran, OF
16 Angel Pagan, OF
17 Vacant (was Fernando Tatis)
18 Ryota Igarashi, P
19 Vacant (was Mike Hessman, who will become a superstar with the Orix Buffalos of Japan)
20 Vacant (was Howard Johnson, reassigned hitting coach)
21 Lucas Duda, OF
22 Vacant (was Raul Valdes, who signed a minor league deal with St. Louis)
23 Vacant (was Chris Carter, non-tendered)
24 Vacant
25 Vacant (was Pedro Feliciano, allegedly on the brink of signing with the Yankees)
26 Fernando Martinez, OF
27 Vacant (was Jesus Feliciano, free agent)
28 Daniel Murphy, 1B-2B-OF
29 Ike Davis, 1B
30 Josh Thole, C
31 Vacant
32 Jenrry Mejia, P
33 Vacant (was John Maine, nontendered)
34 Mike Pelfrey, P
35 Dillon Gee, P
36 Manny Acosta, P
37 Retired
38 Vacant (was Fernando Nieve, who signed a minor league deal with Pittsburgh)
39 Bobby Parnell, P
40 Vacant (was Eddie Kunz, no longer on 40-man roster)
41 Retired
42 Retired
43 R.A. Dickey, P
44 Jason Bay, OF
45 Vacant
46 Oliver Perez, P
47 Vacant (was Hisanori Takahashi, who signed with Angels)
48 Pat Misch, P
49 Jon Niese, P
50 Vacant (was Sean Green, who signed with Milwaukee)
51 Chip Hale, 3rd base Coach
52 Vacant (was first-base coach Razor Shines, not retained)
53 Vacant (was manager Jerry Manuel, not retained)
54 Vacant? (roster still lists Dave Racaniello, Bullpen Catcher)
55 Vacant (was Randy Niemann, Bullpen Coach, not retained)
56 Vacant (was Dave Jauss, Bench Coach, not retained)
57 Johan Santana, P
58 Vacant
59 Dan Warthen, pitching coach
60-63 Vacant
64 Vacant (was Elmer Dessens, free agent)
65-74 Vacant
75 Francisco Rodriguez, P
76-91 Vacant
92 Jason Pridie, OF
The Mets on Monday named a pack of coaches to accompany new manager Terry Collins, including newcomers Jon Debus (bullpen coach); Ken Oberkfell (bench coach) and Dave Hudgens (hitting coach) and a returnee, first-base coach Mookie Wilson. They join returning third-base coach Chip Hale and pitching coach Dan Warthen. Do any of these men speak Spanish?
Uniform numbers have yet to be assigned to these guys but let’s start with the obvious: If the Mets can manage to get rid of Luis Castillo then No. 1 would be available for Mookie. The Mookster wore No. 51 as a coach in 1997 before No. 1 became available to him, and 51 most recently belonged to Mook’s cross-diamond counterpart, Chip Hale. So there’s some drama whatever happens.
I’m intrigued by the possibility of Ken Oberkfell donning No. 0, as he did when I snapped the above photo a few spring trainings ago. The idea of his being a foil and aide-de-camp for Collins wearing No. 10 makes sense, and if Mookie gets No. 1, well that’s even better. I have no idea and no real opinion on what numbers Hudgens and Debus show up in but it wouldn’t surprise me if they show up in 52 and 53 like Met coaches often do.
The Mets today bought a whole new battery at the Winter Meetings in Orlando: Catcher Ronny Paulino and reliever D.J. Carrasco, both nontendered, and former Pirates. Carrasco is a late bloomer and veteran of four big-league clubs with a goofy delivery and even goofier uni number — 77 with both the Pirates and Diamondbacks. A cursory check turned up no great stories about this odd choice, though it should be noted he was born in 1977 and Pittsburgh, where he began to wear those digits, has a reputation for issuing unusually high numbers to some players. The Mets have never had a 77 despite my plea that they give it to Kazuo Matsui in 2004, which could have changed everything.
Paulino came up with the Pirates wearing No. 56 then 26, and spent the last two seasons wearing No. 29 in Florida. He was busted last summer for PED use and seems to have gotten fat since he was lusted after by a young Omar Minaya back in the oughts, but on the plus side he’d appear a decent selection to platoon with Josh Thole.
The Mets this week also invited infielder Russ Adams, catcher Dusty Ryan, and pitcher Michael O’Connor to camp with minor league deals, and appear to be positioned for a pick or two during the Rule 5 draft. There’s stil a chance — and in my opinion, a good argument — to try and move Carlos Beltran before we endure another season of uncertainty in the outfield, but such a deal seems like a longshot. Reports also suggest the Mets will try and score a starting pitcher — if not this week, then when the unsigned guys get anxious in January — but so far the New Brass seems not to have misled anyone as to their modest goals for the winter.
In the meantime it appears that the Mets careers of Sean Green, Pedro Feliciano, Chris Carter and Henry Blanco are over. We hope maybe Felicano comes back sometime and tries on a fourth uni number — he was 55, 39 and 25 on his way to becoming an unlikely long-tenured and really quite excellent Met. But I don’t much believe in sustainability from short relievers and approve almost whatever churning gets done year to year.
Terry Collins pretty much spoiled the idea of returning to wear No. 1 once he invoked the name of Jim Leland, but it doesn’t mean Luis Castillo is in the clear yet. Newspapers last week were speculating that Mookie Wilson would be named to fill the vacant first-base coaching job — and maintain the proper quota of 1986 laborers in continuing employ with the Mets as stipulated in a secret contract somewhere.
No seriously, Mookie’s a perfect guy for the job — let’s face it, Mookie’s perfect for about any job — so let’s hope it happens, and happens in his customary No. 1. Though real Mookologists know he wore another number — 51 — during his first tenure as a first-base coach under Bobby Valentine in 1997, accommodating Lance Johnson at least until Johnson was traded to the Cubs that August. The Met Braintrust also intends to name an outside choice as hitting coach, a good idea since the Mets have never really developed any hitters of their own beyond David Wright, who already has a job, and, of course, my close personal friend Darryl Strawberry.
Darryl you might know has a new restaurant out in Douglaston, which was where I ran into him a few weeks ago. Literally: I exited the Men’s room and there he was across the narrow hallway at the entrance to the kitchen. Though I was expecting a destination type place typical of jock establishments, Strawberry’s Sports Grill is really a neighborhood joint on a deadend street across from a LIRR station in bucolic Douglaston, itself resembling a North Shore Nassau County town. It’s loaded with memorabilia from Straw’s career including the Mets locker pictured above but plenty of Yankee stuff from his time there. I guess that’s just a business decision. Times are tough in the restaurant business these days.
The wings were sports-bar acceptable, the “1961” burger was pretty good despite the Yankee affiliation, and the bartender was terrific. But our server was kinda slow and surly if you want to know the truth. Some locals mentioned that the site had been though several incarnations before Darryl took the reigns, and if I weren’t terrified and stammering idiotic things like “Thanks!” over and over again to him during our brief meeting, I’d probably mention it to him — that and get him to remark on the significance of No. 18. I had a chance to touch the man’s shoulder as I turned him for the photo (thanks Greg!) and can report it’s massive and as firm as a car seat.
In summary, Darryl’s not the next hitting coach even though he’s a former 1986er, and you should get a beer and a burger at Strawberry’s while it’s still standing.
Terry Collins meets the press wearing the No. 10 jersey. If the Mets can somehow throw Luis Castillo overboard before opening day I could see him switching to his customary No. 1, otherwise, he’d be the second Mets manager to wear No. 10 and the first since Jeff Torborg donned it in 1992 and 1993. Just examining those parallels at a time like this is enough to scare you so I won’t.
Um, Good luck, Terry!
Update: Terry says he is wearing No. 10 as a tribute to Jim Leland, who gave Collins his start in the Pirates organization. “Plus my wife thinks I’m a 10.”
As a friend said, Terry Collins may have been fifth on my list of the final four candidates to become the next Mets manager but now that he is, I guess we owe him a shot. He’s got some admirers among the bright minds of the Mets front office, he was a finalist the last time they held these interviews, and his teams in two previous stops have performed pretty well if not ended that way. We’ll wait for the press conference Tuesday to comfirm it, but I’d expect they have him appear in the No. 1 jersey, even though it currently belongs to Luis Castillo.
