The Digital Underground
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2024 11:04 pm
Things I noticed myself noticing as I noticed the roster numbers.
The proliferation of relievers cycled onto the roster as the season progresses has made numbers in the 50s more valuable real estate, and so numbers in the 60s are the new numbers in the 50s, and are the new standard for coaches to wear.
The proliferation of coaches also means some of the coaches' numbers are also being worn by players in camp, which utterly undermines the notion of numbers.
John Gibbons wore 8 as a player, and his return as a coach 38 years later would have been a GREAT time to put 8 back in circulation. Curiously enough, it was off of Gibbons' back that Gary Carter first took it.
Being on the 40-man roster and being out of options, Zach Short sure seemed to have the inside track on the last infield job, but now seeing him outfitted in 74, I'm thinking it may be an uphill climb for him yet, and maybe the Mets intend to break camp with both Baty and Vientos. José Iglesias, by contrast, is a non-roster infielder wearing 11. He's totally trying to be the Tom Veryzer of this team.
The number 44 on a hitter — especially an outfielder — is a statement. It has been since the days of Aaron, McCovey, and Jackson. Mike Cameron is probably the closest any Met has ever come to living up to that statement, but more typically, Jay Bell, John Mayberrry, and even Jason Bay have seen reality hit them right in the face as soon as they donned the number. But here Harrison Bader is, totally tempting the fates with the double-fours. He wore 22 as a Yankee, but of course, 44 is mothballed in the Bronx, so he couldn't have worn it if he wanted it, but the guy is either bold or crazy.
When you're the team's top prospect in your first camp, you're going to get a high number, and that is how it should be. But I tend to think they get something with a little bit more pizazz than Jett Williams' 90. I'd expect him in a more noticeable 77 or the like. Just a little more sexy and spottable for the autograph hounds.
I like my bullpen lefties in odd numbers, possibly ending in 7 if at all possible, but Diekman gets 30, like he belongs in the rotation or something.
The proliferation of relievers cycled onto the roster as the season progresses has made numbers in the 50s more valuable real estate, and so numbers in the 60s are the new numbers in the 50s, and are the new standard for coaches to wear.
The proliferation of coaches also means some of the coaches' numbers are also being worn by players in camp, which utterly undermines the notion of numbers.
John Gibbons wore 8 as a player, and his return as a coach 38 years later would have been a GREAT time to put 8 back in circulation. Curiously enough, it was off of Gibbons' back that Gary Carter first took it.
Being on the 40-man roster and being out of options, Zach Short sure seemed to have the inside track on the last infield job, but now seeing him outfitted in 74, I'm thinking it may be an uphill climb for him yet, and maybe the Mets intend to break camp with both Baty and Vientos. José Iglesias, by contrast, is a non-roster infielder wearing 11. He's totally trying to be the Tom Veryzer of this team.
The number 44 on a hitter — especially an outfielder — is a statement. It has been since the days of Aaron, McCovey, and Jackson. Mike Cameron is probably the closest any Met has ever come to living up to that statement, but more typically, Jay Bell, John Mayberrry, and even Jason Bay have seen reality hit them right in the face as soon as they donned the number. But here Harrison Bader is, totally tempting the fates with the double-fours. He wore 22 as a Yankee, but of course, 44 is mothballed in the Bronx, so he couldn't have worn it if he wanted it, but the guy is either bold or crazy.
When you're the team's top prospect in your first camp, you're going to get a high number, and that is how it should be. But I tend to think they get something with a little bit more pizazz than Jett Williams' 90. I'd expect him in a more noticeable 77 or the like. Just a little more sexy and spottable for the autograph hounds.
I like my bullpen lefties in odd numbers, possibly ending in 7 if at all possible, but Diekman gets 30, like he belongs in the rotation or something.