When the Mets failed to recall Norfolk reliever Scott Strickland last Sunday, triggering the rehabbing righty’s right to free agency, they also clipped off the lone remaining branch of a Trade Tree with roots in the infamous Ed Hearn-for-David Cone trade of 1986.
That leaves one-time reserve infielder Tim Bogar as the grandfather of the current longest trade chain: Bogar was traded to Houston in 1997 forLuis Lopez, who went to Milwaukee for Bill Pulsipher, who went to Arizona for Lenny Harris, who went to Milwaukee for Jeromy Burnitz, whose trade to Los Angeles yeildedVictor Diaz and minor leaguer Joselo Diaz; the latter brought back Victor Zambrano.
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).