By the Numbers

Author: Clare Lafferty

As I was watching the Mets spring training game yesterday, I saw Rod Barajas come to the plate wearing number 21. And it struck me  - - there are certain numbers, although not officially retired, that should not be worn because of the players that came before.

Number 21 for me will always be Cleon Jones. He was my first favorite Met and had a career year in 1969. His batting average that year still stands as a Mets record for highest average. He made some great plays in the outfield and was one of the Mets' first real power hitters.

Number 20 - has to be Tommie Agee. Agee was an amazing defensive center fielder and he was a great hitter as well providing a 1-2 punch with Jones in the Mets lineup.

Here are some other numbers that I think should be "unofficially" retired - Doc Gooden's#16, Buddy Harrelson's #3, Straw's #39 and Mike Piazza's # 31.

There are also some current Mets that have the potential to join that list - the list of players that when you see a number, it is only them that you think of. When I think of Number 5, it was Ed Charles, until David Wright came along. Same with Number 7- it was Ed Kranepool and is now Jose Reyes. And when Johan Santana is finished as a Met, maybe Number 57 will be included in that list.

I wonder sometimes why the Mets have not retired some of these numbers already. According to me, these numbers will only have one meaning - Mets that have made a mark on the organization and its fans forever.

Comments

[Frank]

Two things. The only number straw should be retired in is 18. Second, you must mention Keith's 17. Maybe Gary's 8, but Keith must be retired. He changed the mindset and therefore, the team. Without him, they don't win in '86. Otherwise, good article.

[Jon]

Jones' batting average record was broken by Olerud in 1998. And Strawberry never wore 39 with the Mets, that was the Yankees. Good grief!

I disagree with the basic premise of this article as well. Numbers shouldn't be retired to honor players; players should be honored by seeing their numbers passed along to the next generation. Jones may always be "your" 21; but there are fans just as impressionable for whom 21 means Pulsipher or Delgado.

[Clare]

You are right about Straw's number~~my mistake!