When Scott Strickland (front row, right) appeared last week in his ridiculous new orange jersey, we were surprised to see it bear No. 28 and not 25 as it did last season. We now know the switch was made so that new bench coach Don Baylor could wear 25, the digits he wore throughout his playing and managing career. (Thanks to alert MBTN readers Matt, Chris and Larry for the update).
Relief from Down Under
The Mets offseason quest for Yankee rejects continued Friday when they signed giraffish Australian lefthanded reliever Graeme Lloyd to a minor league contract with a spring training invite. Lloyd wore No. 27 with the Yankees and 47 more recently with the Expos and Marlins. The latter figure has already been issued to new enemy arrival Tom Glavine; the former to another might-be Met, Jason Middlebrook.
Coney’s Island
The Mets on Thursday signed ancient All-Star David Cone to a minor league contract and invited him to Spring Training for the first time in 11 years. Cone, who won 80 games for the Mets between ’87 and ’92, suited up previously in numbers 44 and 17 (both available should Coney come North).
Correction
Many thanks to alert MBTN reader Stu and the MBTN fact-checking committee (Ed, Ed and Kevin) who helped point out and correct an error. We’re changing our records to reflect that Mike Torrez wore No. 30 in 1983 and 84 — not 31 as erroneously reported here. The site owes much of its accuracy to sharp-eyed Met fans with long memories (as if there’s any other kind). If you spot an error or have a question, please write in!
Shinjo’s Back
The Mets on Saturday reached a one-year contract with charismatic former outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo. Here’s hoping that Shinjo, who wore gigantic orange wristbands and the No. 5 jersey with the Mets in 2001, can provide the solid outfield glove, bench depth and general likeability the Mets have lacked ever since they shipped him off to San Francisco last offseason.
Gary Cooperstown
Congratulations to No. 8, Gary Carter, for his deserving election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Joining him is No. 33, Eddie Murray.
Sanchez a Met
The Mets recently added veteran infielder Rey Sanchez to take care at short till phenom Jose Reyes arrives. The well-traveled Sanchez most recently suited up in No. 13 (Boston), wore No. 6, 11 and 15 for the Cubs, No. 1 for the Royals, and even made brief appearances in Braves, Giants and Yankee jerseys.
Cliff Hanger
The Mets today introduced Cliff Floyd to the press and presented him with the seldomly issued No. 30 jersey. Floyd becomes just the 12th man in team history to be issued No. 30; the number owes its unpopularity not to any longtime wearers but a to 10-year gap between Mike Torrez in 1984 and Doug Linton in 1994. Jorge Luis Toca was the most recent occupant.
On Friday 12/20, came word that third baseman Norihiro Nakamura isn’t coming after all. No word on how many NAKAMURA 5 jerseys went into the incinerator.
Welcome, Yankee Refuse
The Mets today signed ex-Yankee and ex-Brave Mike Stanton to a frighteningly long 3-year contract. Stanton is familiar to New Yorkers as the lefty who wore No. 29 for Satan’s Minions. His arrival seems to portend a conflict with the current 29, Met starter Steve Trachsel. Dec. 18 Update: Stanton posed for photographs today wearing a No. 32 jersey.
Rey Hits the Road
The Mets on Sunday “traded” shortstop Rey Ordonez (at a third of his salary) to the Devil Dogs for a few PTBNL’s including backup infielder Russ Johnson. Johnson wore 25 in Tampa. While we won’t miss Rey’s bat, we regret a player bought so high was sold so low and admit that Rey was a lot of fun to watch, especially back when he wore No. 0.