Clark, Mr. Met Settle Differences

52Tony Clark appeared in Thursday’s doubleheader wearing No. 52, changing from 00, explaining the former belonged to mascot Mr. Met. “A lot of kids have expressed their opinion that there’s only one double-zero in their heart,” Clark said. That may be true today but a uniform number is a recent development for the largeheaded one, who represented for years without one. Clark in the meantime just keeps on making history: He was the first Met player to wear 00 and now, the first to wear 52.

Jeremy Griffiths also made his major league debut Thursday, wearing the dreaded No. 46.

More Injury Shenanigans

Two more Met vets hit the trainer’s room this weekend: Mike Stanton 32 and Pedro Astacio 34. Stanton was disabled Saturday and was replaced by lefty starter Mike Bacsik 33. That move made more sense when the Mets revealed Sunday that Astacio will hit the DL. In his place, they’ve recalled Jeremy Griffiths, who will be making his first big-league appearance and is listed as wearing No. 65 (but would appear in 46).

Welcome Back, Burnitz

The Mets arrived in Atlanta today with a healthy Jeromy Burnitz 20 in tow — and centerfield. ‘Nitz missed more than four weeks with a broken hand. To make room, the Mets sent Jeff Duncan 61 back to the minors. Meantime, Jay Bell 44 joined the wounded list and lefty reliever Pedro Feliciano 55 was recalled.

Mets Get High

61With Jason Middlebrook 27 again returned to Norfolk, the Mets prior to today’s game called up AA outfielder Jeff Duncan — and issued him the lofty No. 61! Should Duncan see action he will be the first Met to wear that number ever. (Pending confirmation of one report showing Mario Ramirez wore it 1980 and Jesse Orosco in 1979).

Disaster

31Mike Piazza has a new position — reclined. He was carried off the field along with what little remained of realistic hopes for a good summer last night in San Francisco, leaving the Mets with little recourse but to re-call Jason Phillips 23 for a fourth time this year, and crossing their fingers. This isn’t good. Another, albeit less important, starting player went on the disabled list two days before when Rey Sanchez 10 was disabled and Marco Scutaro 26 called up for the first time this year.

Strange Up, Phillips Down, Strickland hurt, Cerda back

The Mets on Saturday began packing for their upcoming visit to Denver by calling up pitcher Pat Strange 38 and demoting yo-yo/catcher Jason Phillips 23. Strange was up briefly this season but did not play. Here’s his chance. On Sunday, the Mets put reliever Scott Strickland on the disabled list with a groin thingy, and recalled AAA reliever Jaime Cerda 43.

Pain and Suffering

Two of the few things that went right for the Mets early this season joined all the others on Tuesday when ancient starter David Cone 16 and revived right fielder Jeromy Burnitz 20 finished a depressing 6-2 loss to Houston on the disabled list. Cone should … uh, could be gone forever; Burnitz will miss up to 6 weeks with a hand broken by a wild Billy Wagner fastball. In their place, the Mets recalled outfielder Raul Gonzalez 21, utilityman Joe McEwing 11 and pitcher Pat Strange 38. Strange was sent back to Norfolk after Wednesday’s win so the Mets could re-able Pedro Astacio 34, who is scheduled to start today.