A Very Boswell Birthday

Here’s Ken Boswell’s 1971 Topps baseball card. That’s the Cardinals’ Vic Davalillo arriving too late to break up the double play as Boswell works the pivot between shortstop Al Weis and first baseman Art Shamsky. The card — which must be one of the only Mets cards that includes a view of the Whitestone — was shot on May 28, 1970, in the 6th inning of a game that Mets were losing 6-0 to the Cards. Boswell, however, was having a good afternoon. He’d go 3-for-3 in this game with a double, a sac fly, and both Met RBIs in what became a 9-2 loss. Against Bob Gibson, not bad.

Boswell wore No. 12, which is apropos in that this month marks the 12th anniversary of Mets by the Numbers, which I’ve determined “went live” for the the first time on Feb. 22, 1999. This makes MBTN one of the real dinosaurs of the Metosphere; the Ultimate Mets Database, whose awesome powers I use to determine things like what happened to the Mets on May 28, 1970, debuted at around the same time. A site called Mets Online, founded by the current Yankees beat writer for MLB.com (!) and whose offspring today operates as NY Sportsday, was around then too, but not sure of many others. No. 12 was then in a dark period following Jorge Fabregas’s departure and the coming of the Shawon Dunston Era later that year.

Boswell was a Met for eight seasons and possessed a pretty good left-handed bat for a second baseman, especially for his era. A few injuries interrupted his early progress, and he’d eventually be displaced as the regular second baseman by Felix Millan, but he remained a useful player who batted 1.000 in the 1973 Word Series (3-for-3, all pinch hits) and clubbed home runs in consecutive games in the 1969 NLCS rout of the Braves. When Willie Randolph namechecked Ken Boswell while taking the No. 12 jersey, it might have been his finest moment as Mets manager.

12The No. 12 jersey has been an interesting one in Mets history. The all-time No. 12 was probably John “Bad Dude” Stearns, a four-time All-Star and all-time tough guy. Twelve was also the best of Ron Darling’s three numbers as a Met: He went 68-38 with a 3.38 ERA wearing 12 — and 31-32, 3.73 wearing other numbers (44 and 15, respectively).  Darling’s the only Mets pitcher to ever have worn 12.

Twelve belonged to Tommy Davis during his outstanding (and only) Mets season in 1967; and to maddening chatty hacker Jeff Francoeur in 2009 and 2010. It currently belongs to Scott Hairston, who’s likely to be a pinch-hitter and hopefully not a full-time player for the 2011 squad. One day, we may remember 12 as the number belonging to two Hall of Famers who endured difficult stays in Metville: Jeff Kent (who probably deserves in) and Roberto Alomar (who’ll be enshrined this summer).

Who’s your favorite 12?

Eyewitness News

Quick note: Thanks to reader Jondibrit (below) and others who checked in with eyewitness reports from Florida indicating Ken Oberkfell has been wearing No. 58, not 55 as listed on the Mets official roster (and assigned also to pitcher Chris Young). The report also noted there being ploenty of non-roster instructors on hand including minor league staffers Marc Valdes (74); Tim Tuefel (81); Ricky Bones (84) and Wally Backman (86). Number 0, who we’ve seen in some photos is minor-league catcher Jeff Glenn, according to Jondibrit.

Thanks as always for the updates. MBTN readers. If you’re in Florida and see some cool or stupid stuff, let us know!

Still Watching the Jasons

Just as we suspected: The Times’ David Waldstein with a story we imagined here (sans attribution or access) days before. Jason Bay indeed says he’ll surrender No. 44 should Jason Isringhausen makes the squad, acknowledging the digits have more meaning for Izzy than for him. And not for nothing, but doesn’t it seem like Bay, beyond his enthusiasm for Isringhusen’s chances to make the squad, is practically begging for a good reason to cash in 44 and start fresh? After a year like he had, I would. And no shame: He’d only be another casualty of the No. 44 jersey, which has brought little luck to its Mets’ wearers, particularly its outfielders.

Bay, according to the Times “said he would see what other numbers were available if he relinquished No. 44.” Let me help you out, Jason: There’d be 45 if you agree to swap with Izzy and 58 (we think) and several of the following group likely to become available as attrition and options play out in coming weeks: 4, 11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 35, 36, 48 and more. I associate Bay as 38 — his number with the Pirates — and as long as guys are swapping I’m sure Chris Capuano wouldn’t mind sliding along. I could also see Bay paying tribute to a fellow Canadian athlete with concussion issues, Eric Lindros in No. 88.

Here by the way is the updated Spring Roster.

1 Luis Castillo, 2B
2 Justin Turner, 2B
3 Luis Hernandez, INF
4 Russ Adams, INF
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 Scott Hairston, OF
13 Mike Nickeas, C
14 Retired
15 Carlos Beltran, OF
16 Angel Pagan, OF
17 Vacant
18 Ryota Igarashi, P
19 Raul Chavez, C
20 Jason Pridie, OF
21 Lucas Duda, OF
22 Willie Harris, OF
23 Blaine Boyer, P
24 Vacant
25 Chin-lung Hu
26 Fernando Martinez, OF
27 Boof Bonser, P
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 Tim Byrdak, P
41 Retired
42 Retired
43 R.A. Dickey, P
44 Jason Bay, OF
45 Jason Isringhausen, P
46 Oliver Perez, P
47 Taylor Tankersley, P
48 Pat Misch, P
49 Jon Niese, P
50 Mike O’Connor, P
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*
55 Chris Young, P
56 Jon Debus, bullpen coach
57 Johan Santana, P
58 Vacant
59 Dan Warthen, pitching coach
60 Vacant
61 Tobi Stoner, P
62 Dusty Ryan, C
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 John Lujan, P
69 Vacant
70 Pedro Beato, P
71 Kai Gronauer, C
72 Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF
73-74 Vacant
75 Francisco Rodriguez, P
76 Vacant
77 DJ Carrasco, P
78-99 Vacant

* – Has anyone seen Ken Oberkfell in a jersey?

 

Joe Frazier

55The Times reports this morning that former Mets manager Joe Frazier passed away at age 88. Frazier was a longtime organization man promoted to succeed Yogi Berra following the 1975 season. His 1976 Mets won 86 games, but he was not prepared to deal with the tumultuousness between the players and the front office that erupted with dawn of free agency and was replaced early in the 1977 season by one of his own players, Joe Torre. RIP Joe.

Izzy Really

As if the Mets needed more proof that $15 million and an easy looming option clause aren’t necessary requirements to furnish a bullpen this year or next, Jason Isringhausenthis week walked in off the street and landed a minor-league contract with the Mets. I’m happy to see Izzy back, even if he’s a long shot, because it never hurt anyone to have a Plan B or C with a little experience hanging around, especially one with Met heritage. With No. 44 assigned to Jason Bay, Izzy slipped on a No. 45 jersey and said all the right things about John Franco, but in the event he breaks camp, as unlikely as it seems, it might be best for all parties involved if some jersey swapping occurs.

Let’s start with the fact that Izzy’s had only one other number in his career — 29 — but he gave it up for 44 before he ever appeared in a Mets game. He wore 44 so as to remind himself — and show others — that he was a 44th round draft pick. And it’s the only number he’s worn ever since. Bay on the other hand had zero equity in 44 until traded to the Red Sox — that episode of his career will look like a blip on his baseball card when it’s all over — and he left that team for the Mets. And if anyone could use a change of fortune it’s Bay.

(See Matt’s comments below for a counterpoint on Bay).

Pitchers, Catchers, Outfielders, First Basemen, etc.

As you probably heard somewhere, the Mets are assembling in St. Lucifer right now in anticipation of the first workouts of spring training. I can tell because my copy of the Maple Street Press 2011 Mets Annual arrived at my home yesterday, and ought to be at area newsstands any minute now. Greg Spira and Matthew Silverman, who handle the heavy lifting for this book, do a great job as always setting an overarching editorial theme — FRESH START — and soliciting contributions to cover it from many angles.I offer a peice examining the Mets’ fickle posture on free agency over the years, and its ramifications both good and bad. Other writers will take you into the Mets’ minor league system, introduce you to the celebrity eggheads in the front office, look back at the 25th anniversary of 1986, and more. You can order the book at the MSP website or look for it at area retail stores. It’s editors, writers and other Met fans are gathering for a Mets viewing party and reading April 5 at the former Bobby Vee’s in Corona.

On the subject of self-promotion, the nice folks at The Happy Recap had me on their weekly radio show the other night. We discussed uniforms, numbers and my bold comparison of Darryl Strawberry to Mickey Mantle (in an emotional sense). The link to the webcast is here, I come on near the 22:00 mark and hang out for 15 minutes or so (just load the 2/13 link).

It’s likely this week that we’ll see how the Mets tackle the No. 55 logjam, with both Chris Young and coach Ken Oberkfell assigned those digits according to Mets records. In the meantime, nonroster invitees Kirk Nieuwenhuis (72), Willie Harris (22), Jason Pridie (20), Kai Gronauer (71), John Lujan (69 – really?) and Tobi Stoner (61) have been assigned new numbers. Pridie’s assignment puts a potential cap on Ike Davis’s potential switch to No. 20 — a move that would also free up Stoner’s former No. 29, as unlikely as it seems.

Hu’s the Boss

Interesting update passed along by reader Nick in the comments for the post below: Chin-Lung Hu was assigned No. 17 yesterday, but is listed in No. 25 today. In between, there was some of the typical hand-wringing that accompanies every issue of No. 17 to the Koos, Limas, Lloyds and Appiers of the world, while, by contrast, No. 8 has been mothballed since 2002 in deference to Gary Carter’s enshrinement in Cooperstown.

Could this be a signal that Kevin Kierst, the Mets’ new equipment manager, will take a different route than his disgraced predecessor,Charlie Samuels? It couldn’t hurt if it was.

While I’ve never been a strong advocate of retiring numbers (I think the Mets’ cautious stance on this issue is more or less on the mark) I’d be against retiring 8 while also not retiring 17, particularly as Hernandez’ stature among fans has grown as his broadcasting career has flourished while Carter’s star dimmed amid the feeling that he was a plotting gloryhound with an appetite for a managerial coup. The issue then of course is what to do with 16 and 18, which is why the less-is-more approach is something I’ve always been behind.

That said, the wanton reissuing of 17 — aside from conforming to Met tradition before Hernandez came along — is wrong as well. I’ve long advocated that the Mets save those numbers that might otherwise be retired and issue them to players who would do them proud. I’d put Josh Thole in 8 and Ike Davis in 17 tomorrow. Hu — who like Kelvin Torve assuredly wants no part in a numerical controversy — is scheduled to meet the press tomorrow.

Rafael Arroyo, by the way, was removed from the list of coaches today.

What Sammy Can’t Drive

55Quick 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).

Rafael, We Hardly Knew Ye

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!

Batter Up

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