The Mets continue to invite new faces to camp. Switch-hitting skyscraper Tony Clark is the most intriguing. Clark is coming off a rotten year in Boston (wearing No. 22) but isn’t too far removed from some good seasons with Detroit (when he wore No. 17). He’d make a nice backup for Mo Vaughn and a dangerous pinch-hitter if he catches on. Feb 23 Update: According to Mets.com (not known for its accuracy) Clark has been assigned No. 00. If that holds, it would be the first double-zero in Met history.Photo courtesy of Ed Tsunoda and Metswiki. More Updates: Esix Snead in No. 1; longshot vet Jay Bell in 44 (Prentice Redman in 82); and Graeme Lloyd in 17. The Mets also announced they’ve invited Donovan “Sunshine Superman” Osbourne to camp and issued him No. 88.
Updates
The lens of photographer Ed Tsunoda captures the Mets in action and the following (unofficial) changes: Aaron Heilman wearing 48 (not 23), with Jason Phillips in 23 (switching to accomodate uberprospect Jose Reyes 7). Jae Wong Seo is wearing No. 40 with Pat Strange keeping 38. Also, David Cone is now wearing No. 16 (thanks, Stephen).
I Love St. Lucie
One of the pleasures of Spring Training is the chance to glimpse baseball players wearing linebacker numbers. Congratulations to infielder Russ Johnson who, according to Mets.com, has been issued the highest jersey number in camp (aka the Luis Figeroa Award): 77 (Update: not true). Other tidbits from the (unofficial) Spring Training roster: Jose Reyes in No. 7; Rey Sanchez in Rey Ordonez’ old No. 10; Aaron Heilman in 23 (update: actually 48) and Prentice Redman in 44 (update: actually 82).
Strickland’s New Number
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).
Relief from Down Under
The Mets offseason quest for Yankee rejects continued Friday when they signed giraffish Australian lefthanded reliever Graeme Lloyd to a minor league contract with a spring training invite. Lloyd wore No. 27 with the Yankees and 47 more recently with the Expos and Marlins. The latter figure has already been issued to new enemy arrival Tom Glavine; the former to another might-be Met, Jason Middlebrook.
Coney’s Island
The Mets on Thursday signed ancient All-Star David Cone to a minor league contract and invited him to Spring Training for the first time in 11 years. Cone, who won 80 games for the Mets between ’87 and ’92, suited up previously in numbers 44 and 17 (both available should Coney come North).
Correction
Many thanks to alert MBTN reader Stu and the MBTN fact-checking committee (Ed, Ed and Kevin) who helped point out and correct an error. We’re changing our records to reflect that Mike Torrez wore No. 30 in 1983 and 84 — not 31 as erroneously reported here. The site owes much of its accuracy to sharp-eyed Met fans with long memories (as if there’s any other kind). If you spot an error or have a question, please write in!
Shinjo’s Back
The Mets on Saturday reached a one-year contract with charismatic former outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo. Here’s hoping that Shinjo, who wore gigantic orange wristbands and the No. 5 jersey with the Mets in 2001, can provide the solid outfield glove, bench depth and general likeability the Mets have lacked ever since they shipped him off to San Francisco last offseason.
Gary Cooperstown
Congratulations to No. 8, Gary Carter, for his deserving election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Joining him is No. 33, Eddie Murray.
Sanchez a Met
The Mets recently added veteran infielder Rey Sanchez to take care at short till phenom Jose Reyes arrives. The well-traveled Sanchez most recently suited up in No. 13 (Boston), wore No. 6, 11 and 15 for the Cubs, No. 1 for the Royals, and even made brief appearances in Braves, Giants and Yankee jerseys.