Tom … Terrific?

47The Mets pulled a mild shocker today by signing veteran enemy lefty Tom Glavine to a laughably rich deal. Hey, they’re better than they were yesterday. The Mets’ first free-agent splash of the season also brings the first legitimate Uni-Controversy of the year: Glavine has spent his entire career wearing Number 47, digits that also hold significance for longtime Met mascot Super Joe McEwing. (Dec. 10 Update: As Glavine meets the press it comes as no surprise that sweatshops around the Tri-state area are busy stitching together GLAVINE 47 jerseys in time for the Holiday shopping season. McEwing was meanwhile spotted asking a department-store Santa for a new Uni number. Stay tuned).

Howe Now

Here’s former A’s and Astros manager Art Howe accepting the No. 18 jersey to manage the Mets next year. Howe will take over for the victimized and jobless Bobby Valentine 2, whom the Mets whacked the day after the season ended. (Coaches Charlie Hough 54 and Tom Robson 57 summarily left of their own accord). The move temporarily leaves Jeff D’Amico numberless, although he may wind up jobless as well. Howe becomes the 17th Met manager (and the first to wear No. 18). See more at MBTN’s All-time Coaches & Managers list.

Strange but True

The Mets today called up promising minor league pitcher Pat Strange and issued him No. 38. Strange got the call as an emergency reliever in light of Steve Trachsel’s injury yesterday. Jae Wong Seo served the same purpose earlier this year, also wearing 38. Also: Grant Roberts 36 is back from the DL.

Just Arriving

Long-sought after pitcher Jason Middlebrook has finally joined the Mets, and is in uniform No. 27 awaiting a start later this week. Heretofore, Middlebrook was a “Phantom Met” acquired from, and lost to, the waiver wire in 2000. On Monday, the Mets announced that outfielder Brady Clark was named as the fourth and final prize of the Shawn Estes bounty. He was expected to join the big club this week wearing No. 15.

Rooie Roundup

The Mets today called up pitchers Tyler Walker, Satoru Komiyama and Pedro Feliciano,outfielder Esix Snead and catcher Jason Phillips; and recalled utilityman Marco Scutaro on Sunday. Walker (46), Komiyama (17) and Scutaro (26) will retain the digits they wore in previous visits. Phillips takes No. 7 — he was 26 last year. Snead was issued No. 23, which doesn’t bode well for the return of McKay Christensen; and Feliciano gets 55, making theShawn Estes deal a Uni-Swap. Ty Wigginton 9 is also back

Player to be Named Now

21The Mets today received outfielder Raul Gonzalez from Cincinnati as the first of the two players to be named in the Shawn Estes deal. The Mets dressed Gonzalez in No. 21, making 21 the first number issued to three players in one season since No. 10 get used three times in 1997 (Thurman, Morgan, Petagine). The 21 hot-potato went from Bobby Jones to Mark Little to Gonzalez in a span of three weeks.

Seo, Scutaro Debut

Sunday’s blowout in Cincinnati had one benefit — allowing Marco Scutaro and Jae Wong Seo to make their big-league debuts. Scutaro flew out wearing No. 26 and Seo pitched a scoreless inning and stood to be the winner had the Mets only managed to score eight more runs in the 9th. Seo, expected to returned to Norfolk when Steve Trachsel 29 is activated for Monday’s start, wore No. 38. Mike Bascik 33 was demoted in the meantime.

Estes Sent Packing, White Flag Waving

The Mets last week faced the reality of their disappointing campaign, sending Shawn Estes 55 to Cincinnati for prospects and players to be named later. Unlucky when not inconsistent, Estes was replaced in the rotation by Norfolkian Mike Bacsik 33, who probably won’t do any worse but ought not do much better. They then sent stinky, demoted throw-in Mark Little 21 to Arizona for a Stiff-to-be-Named-Later.