When I’m 64
So there it is. Carlos Mendoza today said he’d give up the No. 28 that reminded him of fleeting moments of youthful glory as a ballplayer so that JD Martinez will feel comfortable in his new home. Mendoza is switching to 64, which I fear is a little too undignified for a big-league manager. It also means third-base coach Mike Sarbaugh will need to find another number. 50 is theoretically available as its Phil Bickford whose been designated for assignment by the Mets to make room for Martinez on the 40.
Mendoza it should go without saying is the first No. 64 to manage the Mets and wearer of the highest-ever number among managers, knocking Frank Howard and Joe Frazier from the lead. Behold the sacred list.
| Manager | Years | Number |
| 1. Casey Stengel | 1962-65 | 37 |
| 2. Wes Westrum | 1965-67 | 9 |
| 3. Salty Parker | 1967 | 54 |
| 4. Gil Hodges | 1968-71 | 14 |
| 5. Yogi Berra | 1972-75 | 8 |
| 6. Roy McMillan | 1975 | 51 |
| 7. Joe Frazier | 1976-77 | 55 |
| 8. Joe Torre | 1977-81 | 9 |
| 9. George Bamberger | 1982-83 | 31 |
| 10. Frank Howard | 1983 | 55 |
| 11. Davey Johnson | 1984-1990 | 5 |
| 12. Bud Harrelson | 1990-91 | 3 |
| 13. Mike Cubbage | 1991 | 4 |
| 14. Jeff Torborg | 1992-93 | 10 |
| 15. Dallas Green | 1993-96 | 46 |
| 16. Bobby Valentine | 1996-2002 | 2 |
| 17. Art Howe | 2003-2004 | 18 |
| 18. Willie Randolph | 2005-2008 | 12 |
| 19. Jerry Manuel | 2008-2010 | 53 |
| 20. Terry Collins | 2011-2017 | 10 |
| 21. Mickey Callaway | 2018-2019 | 36/26* |
| 22. Carlos Beltran | 2020** | 15 |
| 23. Luis Rojas | 2020-2021 | 19 |
| 24. Buck Showalter | 2022-2023 | 11 |
| 25. Carlos Mendoza | 2024 | 64*** |
*-Switched to 26 upon announcement of Jerry Koosman retirement, 9/24/19
**-Did not appear in a game.
***-switched from 28 before the season