Mets Make Joe Smith Feel Special, Lose Phone Number

This here is our boy Joe Smith. For those of you who don't know him, Smitty is a reliever for the New York Metropolitans. He's a loveable sidearmer who looks like he's about 12 years-old.

Last year, he was filthy for the first half before falling off a cliff in the middle of the year and heading down to the minors before re-joining the big club late.

In 2008, Joe is pitching well again, sporting a 2.81 ERA through 16 innings while allowing only 2 of 18 inherited runners to score.

Unfortunately for Joe, the Mets have had a number of injuries leading to all sorts of discussion over what would happen when the team re-activated reliever Matt Wise from the DL. Someone had to go. Despite his performance, baseball is a business. Joe had options and word on the street as late as yesterday was that Mr. Smith would be the odd man out on his way back to Triple-A New Orleans.

But, alas, the baseball gods divinely intervened and the result should be much more pleasing to all Mets fans. However, it seemed Joe himself was among the last to know.

Smith left Shea Stadium Monday night, thinking the original plan still was in place, despite word from Wagner.

"[Wagner] told me I had nothing to worry about," Smith said. "But I didn't know what he meant." Aware of his angst, the Mets tried to contact Smith on Monday, but they had the wrong number.

He heard from Pelfrey on Tuesday morning that he was safe. "I don't know or care how he knew," Smith said. "I was just happy to know I was staying."

C'mon, Omar and crew. How hard is it to have accurate phone numbers for 25 guys? Poor Joe is likely pulling a Pedro Cerrano snake voodoo trick in front of his locker, yet Wagner and Pelfrey already know the deal? Were they listed as his emergency contacts?