Late Season Updates

Back from a vacation and better late than never — Anderson Hernandez recalled from Norfolk Sept. 17; Danny Graves 32 recalled on Sept. 5; and Mike Piazza 31 back from the DL on Sept. 10.  MBTN was surprised to return from our vacation to see Hernandez dressed in No. 1 — which we thought that number might have been in semi-retirement awaiting the 1986 anniversary next season and Mookie Wilson’s continuing service to the organization. As argued here before, MBTN is generally not in favor of retiring numbers — we’d prefer to see them strategically re-issued — but hard to say from his play or lack of it thus far whether Hernandez is truly Mookworthy yet.

Hernandez, by the way, appears to be the 42nd and final player to wear a Met jersey this year — the fewest Met uni wearers since only 40 suited up in 1996. We had 52 last year.

Ghost of a Chance

Many thanks to MBTN readers Bob, Dennis, Jason, and Pete for their help in the continuing fight to catch errors, right wrongs and find cool stuff.

Bob points out that reliever Dean Chance, acquired as the clock ticked on the 1970 season, woreNo. 27, not 32, in his few appearances with the Mets. Both Pete & Jason pointed out a September 1966 scorecard floating around on the Internet that cracks the case on several unsolved mysteries from late that season including Danny Napoleon (16 not 48); Larry Miller (35 not 16); Darrell Sutherland 43; Greg Goossen 10; and Sean Fitzmaurice 5. Dick Rusteck remains mysterious: He (may have?) wore No. 40 that September. Jason also pointed out several inconsistencies on the all-time list (mainly typos and dates) that we intend fix and note shortly on the Most Wanted page. Many thanks!

Callups and Callbacks

10With active rosters expanded to 40 players, the Mets yesterday recalled lefty starter Kaz Ishii 23 and for the first time, a pair of relievers, Tim Hamulack and Shingo Takatsu.

According to a published roster, lefty Hamulack was outfitted in No. 46 while Takatsu took No. 10and summarily becomes the pitcher with the lowest uniform number in Met history (take that,Cory Lidle 11 of 1997!). Takatsu, known as “Mister Zero” wore 10 prior to his release by the White Sox. Tonight the Mets are expected to activate Doug Mientkiewicz 16 from the disabled list. To fit the new additions on the 40, the Mets moved Mike Cameron to the 60-day disabled list, meaning he won’t be back this year, which is no huge surprise.

Trach is Back

The Mets today welcomed back Steve Trachsel 29, and slotted him in the rotation on Friday. The drama as to who would be sacrificed to make room for him was satisfactorily resolved when washed-up mop-up man Danny Graves 32 was designated for assignment. On Monday, beefy reliever Heath Bell 19 was recalled from Norfolk while Dae Sung Koo 17 was demoted. On Sunday, reserve catcher Mike DeFelice 33 returned to the active roster when the Mets got around to disabling catcher Mike Piazza 31. Meanwhile, a massive three-run homer in his debut turn at bat Sunday appears to have saved a job for Mike Jacobs 27, who’s now your starting first baseman.

MBTN reader Mike from Tennessee points out that Jacobs became the fourth Met to hit a home run in his first Major League at-bat — and that each of them had ascending uni numbers: Benny Ayala 18; Mike Fitzgerald 20; Kaz Matsui 25; and Jacobs 27. This is the kind of useless history MBTN was designed to capture.

Cleon Jones in 12

Thanks to MBTN reader Pete for finding and identifying this rare photo of Cleon Jones. As he notes: It shows Cleon Jones looking to be wearing the #12 Jersey with the World’s Fair patch which would be from 1965. The picture is taken at Wrigley Field. The Mets were there In late July and Mid-September of ’65 after Jesse Gonder who had been wearing #12 was traded on July 21st of that year. It is probably from the September trip because Ron Hunt (#33) is in the picture and he was on the disabled list from May 11th until August 5th of ’65. That confirms our suspicions that Jones did indeed wear No. 12 that year (after his recall Sept. 1, precisely) and officially qualifies him among three-numbered Mets (he wore 34 prior to ’65 and 21 after). Thanks, Pete!

United Hairlines

Just as Carlos Beltran 15 returned to the lineup, looking remarkably healthy despite a broken face bone, we learned that catcher Mike Piazza 31 will take at least a few days off with a hairline fracture of his own (he fractured his hand, not his hairline). To be certain we’re in catchers, the Mets did a cool thing and recalled slugging, lefthanded-hitting AAer Mike Jacobs, who arrived at the park tonight wearing No. 27. To make room for him, the Mets designated reliever Jose Santiago 33, who failed to distinguish himself over a few weeks as the team’s 6th or 7th reliever.

Catching Up

Jae Seo 26 was recalled from Norfolk to replace Kaz Ishii 23 on Saturday, and for the second time this year, pitched considerably better than him. As with his first recall, whether Seo stays in the rotation depends in part on what the Mets intend to do when an injured starter makes an expected return to the rotation: In May, it was Kris Benson; this time, it’s Steve Trachsel, expected back shortly and whose injury led to acquiring the frustrating Ishii in the first place: He was sent to the minors for the first time in his MLB career. The Mets are also expecting a return from Kaz Matsui 25 any day now. Thankfully, they’re on the road.

Santiago Up, Bell Down

The Mets arrived in Denver tonight with journeyman righthander Jose Santiago wearing No. 33.Santiago was recalled from Norfolk Sunday when Heath Bell 19 was demoted and informed he needs to develop a change-up. No. 33 was issued earlier this year to backup catcher Mike DiFelice.

The Mets announced Friday that first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz 16 has returned from a rehab stint and that cobwebby pinch-hitter Brian Daubach 13 was returned to Norfolk. They also promoted Norfolk closer Juan Padilla and returned lefty Royce Ring 22 to the farm. Padilla comes to the Mets having had an excellent half-season at Norfolk and Ring’s demotion seems to suggest that infuriating starter Kaz Ishii 23 will get a look in the pen. Padilla was assigned No. 28, which for two years sat patiently awaiting the return of Scott Strickland.