Mr. Met Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Taijuan Walker won't take No. 00 from mascot Mr. Met

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 2/23/21

Jersey numbers are often serious business in professional sports. Superstitions run deep in the sports world, after all, and somebody who has worn a particular number his entire life may find himself in a position where he has to buy that number off of a new teammate upon joining a club via a trade or free agency.

The New York Mets and starting right-hander Taijuan Walker recently agreed to a two-year deal worth $20 million, and the 28-year-old quickly found himself in an awkward situation regarding his uniform. As Matt Monagan noted for the official MLB website, Walker wore No. 00 while with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2020, but that number is currently held by one of the most popular figures ever associated with the Mets: beloved mascot Mr. Met.

No worries, though, as Walker has done the right thing:

Taijuan Walker says he chose uniform No. 99 with the Mets because Mr. Met is No. 00.

No stepping on Mr. Met's toes.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 23, 2021

Earlier this week, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. told TMZ Sports that he does not intend to give his No. 11 to quarterback Carson Wentz once Wentz officially joins the team from the Philadelphia Eagles next month. Pittman and Wentz seem to be on the same page after discussing the matter, and Mets fans will hope Walker and Mr. Met can become fast friends during spring training.

Besides, Mr. Met saves his feuding for Noah Syndergaard.

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