They call me Mr. Smith

[Cowtipper]

Hint:



https://i.imgur.com/zPeT5YB.png>



That guy was such a short-lived Met, it was very difficult finding an image of him in a Mets uniform. Also, the UMDB doesn't have a picture of the guy, so if you need one ... there you go.

[Cowtipper]

Dicky is correct! I thought he was going to be awesome, too. For a while in 2001, he was lights out. Hint: https://i.imgur.com/U1mHz4f.png>

Here's another hint for this guy:



This player was a Venezuelan right-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1997 to 2006. He debuted with the Chicago Cubs, where he quickly gained attention during his rookie season by leading the team with 11 wins and earning ninth place in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. Though he showed early promise, injuries—particularly recurring knee issues—derailed much of his career.



After missing several seasons due to surgery and setbacks, this player made a strong return with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003. Despite a losing record, he was considered the team's most reliable pitcher and was awarded the "Out of Nowhere Award." He went on to pitch for the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Milwaukee Brewers, though his performance varied and was often limited by injury.



In total, this player compiled a 30–35 record, a 4.93 ERA, and 354 strikeouts across 131 MLB appearances. Notably, he was the only pitcher among more than 580 who faced Barry Bonds six or more times to never allow Bonds to reach base.



He later played briefly in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants in 2007 and had stints in winter leagues. Tragically, his life was cut short in 2008 when he was struck by lightning on a beach near his hometown of Maracaibo, Venezuela. He was 33 years old.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

No. 72, Germen Gonzalez.



I was disappointed when the get rid of him

[Cowtipper]

I assume you mean Geremi Gonzalez (who was #32), which is correct!



Another hint for this guy:



https://i.imgur.com/euVrEFnm.png>



This player, a Dominican-born pitcher, was originally signed as an international amateur free agent by the New York Mets on October 21, 2016. After making his professional debut in 2017, he progressed through the Mets' minor league system, showing promise with a solid strikeout rate and strong performances across various levels. In 2020, he was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the Rule 5 Draft, but after an elbow injury and Tommy John surgery, he missed the entire 2021 season. The Giants returned him to the Mets in 2021, and he returned to pitching in 2022.



He split his time between the Mets' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, consistently improving his performance. In 2024, he made his MLB debut with the Mets, pitching two innings in relief against the Atlanta Braves. He faced some injury setbacks during his rookie season, including a forearm strain that sidelined him briefly, but he bounced back to post a 2.31 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 35 innings.



Despite his success in the majors, this player was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse for the start of the 2025 season.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Wasn't there a guy called German Gonzalez? Or was it Gonzalez German?



Wasn't thinking Jeremi Gonzalez -- forgotten we'd had him



looked it up -- Gonzalez German, No. 71 not 72

[Cowtipper]

Gonzalez Germen was one of those guys you put some stock in because he was one of the relatively few decent young pieces during a bleak era. Then all of a sudden, like many of them, he was gone.



Surely someone must know who #72 above is, he pitched for them this year!



Also, here's a hint for this guy:



https://i.imgur.com/zPeT5YB.png>



This player, a switch-hitting infielder from the Dominican Republic, enjoyed a twelve-year Major League Baseball career known more for his defensive versatility than his offensive output. Originally signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1994, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a multi-player deal and made his MLB debut with them in 1997. After bouncing between the majors and minors, he eventually became a regular with the Pirates through 2004.



His best offensive season came in 2005 while with the St. Louis Cardinals, filling in as the everyday third baseman after an injury to Scott Rolen. He later played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006 and 2007, where he was praised for his glove and even started a rare around-the-horn triple play. In 2008, he joined the New York Mets but spent most of that season in the minors and had limited big league action.



Following brief stints with the Newark Bears and the Arizona Diamondbacks' minor league system, this player retired and transitioned into coaching. He worked as a hitting coach in the Kansas City Royals' farm system across multiple levels and served in various coaching roles with the Dominican Winter League's Gigantes del Cibao, including interim manager and infield instructor.



Though never a star, this player was a respected and reliable presence across MLB rosters, carving out a long professional career largely through defensive excellence.



He literally spent two games with the Mets in 2008.