With 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
Mike 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.
No Mo Mo
His knee destroyed under the weight of his wallet, Mo Vaughn 42 went onto the disabled list Sunday. To take his place the Mets again called up Jason Phillips 23.
Ouch
The Mets ended a dreadful April with a roster move: The role of late-inning beatdown victim goes to Jason Middlebrook 27 rather than 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.
Super Joe Goes Down
Paying the price for an overworked bullpen and an undewhelming offense, the struggling Mets on Wednesday recalled pitcher Jason Middlebrook 27 and sent down utilityman Super Joe McEwing 11. Joe may return in a few weeks. Or he may not. Update: Middlebrook wasn’t long for his stay. As the Mets returned to New York Friday, he went back to Norfolk and Bono-rific catcher Jason Phillips 23 was called up for a second tour.
Clark, Piazza Back
With Mike Piazza having paid his debt to baseball society, the Mets today demoted backup catcher Jason Phillips 23 and welcomed Tony Clark to the active roster for the first time. Clark becomes the first Met ever to wear Number 00.
Cone Returns
You’re not watching the Classic Sports Channel (or thankfully, the YES Network): That’s really David Cone on the mound at chilly Shea tonight. Cone makes his first appearance in the Met uni in 11 years wearing No. 16: He wore No. 17 and 44 back last century. The Mets made room for Coney by demoting opening-day piñata Mike Bascik 33.
The 700th Met
MBTN readers come through again: With their help, we’ve made a methodology change, fixed an accounting error and present the following list of century Mets:
100: Jimmie Schaffer (July 26, 1965)
200: Bill Sudakis (July 11, 1972)
300: Phil Mankowski (April 11, 1980)
400: Randy Milligan (Sept. 12, 1987)
500: Kelly Stinnett (April 5, 1994)
600: Lenny Harris (July 4, 1998)
700: Tom Glavine (March 31, 2003)
Thanks to MBTN readers Gordon for providing guidance on Nos. 100 and 200; and to Lou who spotted an error in No. 500. The latter was actually a “tie” between Stinnett and Pete Smith, the starting battery for the April 5, 1994 game. We went with Stinnett because he was announced first. Applying a consistent tiebreaker to this year’s coronation of the 700th Met makes Cliff Floyd 698, Rey Sanchez 699 and Glavine 700. I know we said before we didn’t plan on doing it that way but we also didn’t anticipate historical ties.