Take A Number
With the addition of new reserve shortstop Ronny Cedeno and returning pinch-hitter Scott Hairston -- and the subtraction of bungled phenom Fernando Martinez, who will try again with the Astros -- the Mets say their 40-man roster is whole again and, they say, unlilkely to undergo any further changes before it all begins again.
It's not just the weather making it as though like winter never came. The additions to the team were underwhelming enough and the finances bad enough that nobody bothered having a press event beyond conference calls or a caravan which is all well and good but denied us the introduction of new uni numbers until, I suppose, pitchers and catchers report. Following are guys on the 40 who are awaiting a number assignment:
PITCHERS: Robert Carson, Juerys Familia, Frank Francisco, Jeremy Heffner, Ramon Ramirez, Jon Rauch
INFIELDERS: Ronny Cedeno, Wilmer Flores, Reese Havens
OUTFIELDERS: Juan Lagares, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Cesar Puello, Andres Torres
Including the four non-roster invitees who already have number assignments (Miguel Batista, Daniel Hererra, Valentino Pascucci, Mike Baxter) the following numbers (up to 50) are available to issue: 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 31, 33, 38, 45, 48, 50.
That's 13 guys and 20 numbers if I counted right. If I include additional non-roster invitees (likely to be issued numbers in the 60s or above anyway) it's 21 guys and 20 numbers. Who will wind up in which?
No 50
For some reason, I remember the Mets saying that number 50 won't be used this year in honor of their 50th anniversary.
50
I heard the same thing. The test will be what number frank Francisco shoes up in. Worn 50 his whole career.
No, No No. 50
They were quite giddy about not issuing 50 in their 50th season, announcing it at the press conference for their golden anniversary promotions. Howie said even if Benny or Sid comes out of retirement, they'll have to find another number.
Why, exactly? This from their release on the subject:
A lucky fan at each home game will receive an authentic No. 50 jersey embroidered with the name “FANTASTIC.”
Nice gesture...I guess.
Stupid
Seems like a dumb thing to be excited about.
Painful
Have you ever seen a group of position players more perfect to wear number 6? And I can see each of the pitchers wearing 38. Why not just give them all 6 or 38? And that way Fred can save some money by purchasing 6's and 38's in bulk.
Gored82 - it's a joke. Relax.
No it's not
If they announced it at a press conference, it's no joke. Seems like as dumb thing to be excited about.
Flores
There's a pic right now of Wilmer Flores wearing 4 for the St. Lucie Mets so perhaps he's already got dibs on that number.
Also....
The Mets will NOT issue 8, 24 and 31 if they know what's good for them.
Okay, here's my guesses.
Anyone else brave enough to take a stab?
Coaches:
Teufel - 11 (Tejada switches to 1. Teufel needs his old number back.)
Geren - 17 (wore as a player)
Goodwin - 24 (yes, I said 24 - that's what he wore in Chicago!)
Bones - 56 (is that was Racianello wore?)
Pitchers:
Carson - 38
Familia - 33
Francisco - 55 (Frank Francisco fifty five)
Heffner - 45
Ramirez - 16
Rauch - 26
Infielders:
Cedeno - 9
Flores - 4
Havens - 6
(I don't know why but I like my infielders with single digit numbers to go with Wright's 5.)
Outfielders:
Lagares - 25
Niewenhuis - 22
Puello - 20
Torres - 18
numbers
The Mets won't issue 8 (Carter) , 17 (Hernandez) , 31 (Piazza) or 24 (Mays)
Why not? They've been issuing
Why not? They've been issuing #17 for years...
17
I think they might have turned the corner on 17 last year. Gonna work up a post on that shortly.
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