May 2004

Internet-savvy Mets fans with an interest in numerology already know that Mets By The Numbers (MBTN, found at http://www.mbtn.net/) is the source for information about what Mets uniform numbers have been worn over the years. For the unindoctrinated, MBTN discusses the history of each uniform number in loving detail; lists an all-time numeric roster; and has a separate coaches and managers section, among other things. There are Mets news updates, a list of uniform swaps, and even the "McKnightmare" saga (chronicling Jeff McKnight and the record-setting five uniform numbers that he wore as a Met). If you want to know anything about a Mets uniform number, MBTN is the place to be.

MBTN is the creation of 37-year-old Jon Springer, an editor of a trade publication and a freelance writer who grew up on Long Island and who currently resides in Queens, New York. MBTN made its Internet debut on February 22, 1999, and over the past five years it has made impressive strides from its humble beginnings. The site, in fact, started out as something of a lark. Springer tells Inside Pitch, "I had gotten out of baseball during the [1994] strike, but I was romanced back to the game by the 1997 Mets and the subsequent Bobby Valentine teams. Around the same time, I discovered the Internet. Meanwhile, I had always thought of the Mets in terms of uniform numbers. As I was trying to channel my old Mets memories, all of these things came together." Thus, a website was born.

In the beginning, MBTN was missing numbers for approximately 100 players. However, once the site went live, Springer found a small number of dedicated people who share his interest in uniform numerology and with their help he has been able to compile, "a moving history of the team." This moving history documents every player who appeared in a mets uniform in a regular season game, including the different numbers they have worn (spring training numbers are beyond MBTN's scope). While there are roughly two dozen players whose numbers Springer would like to be able to double check through sources such as photographs or scoresheets, MBTN is, "close to accurate, if not completely accurate." Anybody with documentation that can confirm such things as the uniform Bud Harrelson wore in 1965 or Duffy Dyer's number in 1968 should click the "Most Wanted" link on MBTN's home page.

As time progressed, Springer witnessed his site evolve into, "a serious research project that can withstand scrutiny. Uniform numbers are placemarkers in history, and they are closely related to transactions. By following uniform numbers, you can come up with a history of the team as well as a map of how the team operates." At the same time, MBTN is useful for simple purposes, such as answering questions about which Met wore which uniform number, or for being able to tell your youngster which Mets have also worn the number that he or she is currently wearing for Little League.

While Springer realizes that MBTN is "not a site that begs people to visit on a daily basis," it nonetheless has a solid user base. The site registered approximately 5,000 visits in its first year, and it has been steadily picking up readership ever since.

What's more, MBTN has introduced Springer to a great number of other passionate Mets fans. One MBTN reader, whom Springer knows only as "Jason from New Jersey," was able to help him build a thorough Mets chronology by pinning down the dates when players came to the team and when they left. Additionally, he has made a lot of friends from the site, and he has even gone on to work on non-related Mets writing projects as a result of the people he has encountered through MBTN. "You're a good fan if you're interested in these sorts of things," observes Springer. "Anyone who cares about what number Roy Staiger wore is truly dedicated."

In the course of five years, Springer has developed a valuable and unique resource for anybody with an interest in Mets history. As he recounts, "It's changed from a goofy experiment to a serious team research project. But that's not what it has to be about for the visitor -- it can just be fun." Whether you are a serious Mets aficionado or a casual fan who wants to learn more about Mets history, make it a point to bookmark http://www.mbtn.net/ on your web browser.