Mookie, Melvin officially join Mets

Sorry to be late with this, but easing back into school was not too easy today.

Here’s the presser from the Mets, or at least, the “important” part of it…

The New York Mets today announced that Mookie Wilson has returned to the organization as the team's minor league outfield and base running coordinator. Wilson, a former Mets player, coach and minor league manager, was last with the club in 2005 as the manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones (A) of the New York-Penn League.

"It's good to be back," said Wilson, 53, who makes his home in Eastover, SC. "This is where I started and I'm anxious to do whatever I can for the young kids in our system."

The club also announced that Bob Melvin, a former major league catcher and manger, will join the organization as a professional scout, Guy Conti has been named a Senior Advisor in the Minor League Department, and Frank Fultz has been named the Rehabilitation Pitching Coordinator.

So, let’s say you played on the 1986 New York Mets.  Are you just waiting by your phone for the Mets to call to hire you?

Also, the number of internal Jerry Manuel replacements grows.

The Mets and Sesame Street [Videos]

Happy 40th birthday, Sesame Street.

Watch Keith Hernandez, Mookie Wilson and Ron Darling on the classic TV show.

Awesome.

Happy birthday, Keith Hernandez (with rare poster photo)

A salute to the 'stache. The immortal Keith Hernandez turns 55 years young today.

I thought this would be a good time to unveil to the internet world a poster that has been hanging in my room for as long as I remember. This is a poster that was hanging in a video store to promote the release of the World Series championship VHS, "1986 Mets A Year To Remember."

My dad asked the store owner if he could have it when the promotion was over, and he obliged. He had it framed, and hung it in my room to begin me on the path to Mets-fandom when I was born in 1988.So there it is in all it's glory. Keith, with Mookie Wilson, Darryl Strawberry, Gary Carter and some of the 1986 team.

Happy birthday, Keith. The fans loved you on the field, on Seinfeld, and now in the booth on SNY.

Come on, you won the MVP in '79. You can do anything.

Jose Reyes sets new Mets franchise record

Jose Reyes just stole his 282nd base of his career, passing Mookie Wilson for the franchise lead. Not minutes later, he picked up #283.

To many, many more...Keep running, Reyes.

Early Morning Madness: Billy Wagner should have a cramp in his shoulder more often edition

It's the bottom of the tenth inning on Sunday. The Mets are up by two, bringing in their closer Billy Wagner. Two pitches in, both Jerry Manuel and trainer Rey Ramirez begin trotting out to the mound to check on Wagner, for an injury they think he has.

Billy shrugs them off, and flashes a smile as they walk away. He proceeds to strike out the side, in order, and seal up a win for his team.

He does all this with a cramp in his pitching shoulder. More cramps, I say!

But seriously, Wagner will have an MRI on the shoulder today, just to see if everything is all right. It was ridiculously hot yesterday, so a little dehydration is my expert opinion of what went wrong. Not too worried.

Update: I wasn't worried, and now either are the Mets. The scheduled MRI has been cancelled.

** * **

Congratulations are in order for Jose Reyes, who is now the franchise leader in triples.

Reyes passed Mookie Wilson's, notching his 63rd triple in a Mets uniform yesterday at Cincy.

To many more, Reyes. Many, many more.

** * **

Mets minor league prospect Dan Murphy, a third baseman by trade, has shifted to second base in hopes of making it to the big leagues with the Mets.

Obviously, Murphy is blocked by David Wright at third, and will be for a very long time. Second base is a bit more crowded, but things are very up in the air with that position.

Luis Castillo is unfortunately signed for the next three years at that position, pulling in $6 million a year. Damion Easley has filled in amazingly well while Castillo is on the DL. And now Argenis Reyes has come up and made things look easy, contributing key pinch hits and playing well in the field to spell Easley.

Well, if Murphy has his way, you should add his name to the list.

Here's a quote, via Adam Rubin:

"My theory is just catch it and get rid of it," said Murphy, who played second base through the 11th grade, about his double-play approach. "If I get hit, I get hit. That's the way it is. I'm pretty sure my pitchers would take something for me. So if they're going to throw a double-play ball and I take a hit, that's just the way it goes."

I wonder if he's willing to take a hit...