Researching 1975, we recently came across the Met debut of lefty reliever Tom Hall. “The Blade” was acquired from the Reds in an early-season trade and joined the Mets in St. Louis on April 16 where he pitched two innings of scoreless relief while wearing road uniform No. 42 (Ron Hodges, for whom the Mets had likely been carrying the 42 jersey, was doing a minor-league tour then). When the Mets returned home two days later, Hall was issued No. 19, which he wore for the rest of his year-plus Met tenure.
Hot Stove is Lit
After officially naming Jim Duquette the team’s GM the Duke’s first order of new business was to name Rick Peterson, late of the Athletics, as the Mets new pitching coach. Peterson wrore No. 46 last year in Oakland, but that’s no guarantee of his digits here.
Talks begin this week on players the Mets may acquire. Among those romantically linked to the Mets thus far include centerfielder Mike Cameron (No. 44 on your Mariners’ scorecard); closers Billy Koch of the White Sox (44) and Keith Foulke of Oakland (29); and from Japan, infielders Kazuo Matsui and Tadahito Iguchi (both of whom wear No. 7). Stay tuned (or logged in, or whatever) throughout the Hot Stove season: More updates as they come!
Vern Ruhled Out
The Mets following the season announced the whacking of pitching coach Vern Ruhle 53 but have not yet named a replacement. Stay here throughout the Hot Stove season for updates on Mets moves and the uni numbers they’ll be coughing up and dealing out!
Nepotism and Cheating: The Metly Way
The Mets on Friday added two new left-handed hitters to their roster: Outfielder Matt Watson and infielder Mike Glavine. The latter is of course the kid brother of the disappointing Met hurler, and his pedestrian performance as a backup in Norfolk was easily overlooked by an organization run by Wilpon & Son. Watson, who at least can be considered worthy of a look, is coming off a shameful Rookie-ball “rehab assignment” that — imagine! — just happened to coincide with the Cyclones’ playoff appearance.
Well, we wish the dubious new Mets luck anyhow. Glavine is wearing No. 27 (formerly the property of Met/Norfolk teammate Jason Middlebrook); and Watson wears No. 50. Watson by the way is also the latest link in the Ed Hearn Trade Chain.
Rookie Roundup
Roster expansion plus the scary injury to Jose Reyes promises some more new names and numbers at Shea this September. On Monday the callups began when Jeremy (Big Red) Griffiths 46 was recalled and Norfolk closer Orber Moreno summoned for the first time. Moreno was dressed in the No. 49 jersey left behind byArmando Benitez. After Monday’s win the Mets recalled Prentice Redman 20; Jaime Cerda 43 and Edwin Almonte 56 and for the first time, second-base prospect Danny Garcia, who got his first start (and hit) on Tuesday in Roberto Alomar’s former No. 12.
The Mets have also recalled Jorge Velandia 13.
Anderson Arrives
Jason Anderson, one of three pitchers the Mets received earlier this year in the Armando Benitez trade, was recalled from Norfolk Thursday, and when he makes his first appearance will become the 26th man to wear No. 17 for the Mets, pulling that number into a three-way tie with 11 and 34 as the second-most issued in team history (No. 6 leads with 27 issues). Prentice Redman 20 was sent back to Norfolk to make room.
A-Prentice No More
The Mets recalled outfielder Prentice Redman from Norfolk over the weekend and he made his Major League debut in Sunday’s win over Los Angeles. Redman, who was summoned to the bigs earlier this year but did not play, becomes the 20th man to wear No. 20 in Met history. Jaime Cerda 43 was demoted to make room.
Achilles Last Stand
Well, the most anticipated trip to the disabled list of the year finally begins tonight when gimpy-but-brave outfielder Cliff Floyd 30 gets some much-needed work on his troublesome right achilles tendon. Jeff Duncan, still wearing No. 61, takes his place on the roster. The achilles tendon injury holds special meaning for MBTN and we wish Cliff lots of luck during the hours of tedious physical therapy to come.
Hello
Three months after being carried off, Mike Piazza returned to the field last night under — and with — his own power. The Mets changed radically during the 76 games Piazza missed but still cried out for a righthanded power hitter: He obliged with 3 hits, a home run and 5 RBI. Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back…
Mike’s return to the No. 31 jersey meant a demotion for young outfielder Jeff Duncan, who never did manage to shake the rookie-ish hold of the No. 61 jersey on his back.
Roberts Returns
Grant Roberts, whose absence due to injury probably hurt the Mets more than most of us realized, finally healed up enough to join the team for the first time this year last night in Houston. Roberts, still wearing No. 36, meant back to the minors again for Joe DePastino 10.