WASHINGTON — The kid was No. 8 for one night, but “The Kid” will get it back Wednesday.
Nick Morabito, recalled from Triple-A Syracuse by the Mets on Tuesday, was issued uniform No. 8 for his major league debut — the number worn by Gary Carter from 1985-89.
Following a fan backlash on social media, the club announced Morabito’s number will change before Wednesday’s game.
Carter’s number is not retired by the Mets. It was last worn by Desi Relaford in 2001.
Among those displeased that Morabito received Carter’s old number was the team’s radio voice, Howie Rose.
“It appears that most fans are opposed to the Mets releasing #8 (to call up Nick Morabito) after having not issued it for 25 years,” Rose posted on X. “There’s been a debate over whether Gary Carter’s number should be retired, but to release it this 40th anniversary season of 1986 just seems wrong.”
Carter, a Hall of Fame catcher, helped the Mets win their last World Series in 1986. Although discussion about retiring his number has occurred in recent years, Carter’s candidacy has not received enough support from the committee that recommends such actions to ownership. Carter’s candidacy is hurt by the fact he played just five seasons for the Mets.
Carlos Beltrán’s No. 15 will join the list of retired numbers later this season. Tom Seaver (41), Mike Piazza (31), Jerry Koosman (36), Keith Hernandez (17), Willie Mays (24), Dwight Gooden (16), Darryl Strawberry (18) and David Wright (5) are the former Mets players with retired numbers.
Additionally, the club has retired numbers for managers Casey Stengel (37) and Gil Hodges (14). Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 is retired throughout MLB.
Morabito became the third rookie outfielder to debut for the club this season, joining Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing.
The 23-year-old Morabito, who grew up in northern Virginia, received his homecoming as the starting left fielder against the Nationals in the ballpark where he grew up watching players like Bryce Harper and Juan Soto.
Morabito brings the Mets a right-handed bat, replacing veteran Austin Slater, who was designated for assignment.
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In 41 games for Syracuse this season, Morabito owned a .253/.364/.390 slash line with four homers and 14 stolen bases.
“I feel like in all aspects of my game I have been able to do pretty well,” Morabito said. “I feel like the first month of the year I was able to show a little bit more power to hit that many homers and I think that was pretty good for me. It was something I worked on in the offseason, just try to elevate the ball more.”
Morabito gives manager Carlos Mendoza the potential of starting an all-rookie outfield on any given day. But Mendoza indicated the plan is still to integrate Soto (who started at DH on Tuesday) into the left field mix.
“We feel like the way [Morabito] has been playing this year in Triple-A, doing everything we are asking him to do, offensively, defensively, running the bases, continue just to learn to how to play the game,” Mendoza said. “And we felt like right now we’re looking for our best 26 guys that are going to help us win baseball games here, and he’s here for a reason.”
If nothing else, the Mets have infused athleticism into their outfield with the three rookies.
“It’s exciting and I think when you look around the league, that is the kind of trend,” Mendoza said. “You have got guys that can run, they can play multiple positions, they put the ball in play and play elite defense. It just allows you to manage the game in a lot of different ways.
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After a sluggish start, Benge has emerged among the Mets’ hottest hitters. He entered play with an .877 OPS over his previous 23 games. Included was a three-hit performance Monday in the Mets’ 16-7 victory over the Nationals.
Ewing — who was promoted to the Mets at the start of their last homestand and was absent from Tuesday’s starting lineup with Tyrone Taylor starting in center field — reached base 14 times in his first seven major league games.
“You see how aggressive we are on the bases, bunting, putting the ball in play, hit and run, playing a little bit of small ball while also having a few guys that can hit the ball out of the ballpark,” Mendoza said. “It’s exciting and just more weapons for you to attack.”
