Like Brady Clark, I'm just happy to be here

Forty-four is for fence-busting mashers, forever associated with guys like Hank Aaron and Willie McCovey.

And according to the essential “Mets by the Numbers,” the best member of our beloved team to wear the number was … a pitcher.

But that’s OK, because our team doesn’t seem to do things the conventional way.

Today I turn 44. With Mets as in life, it might not seem as magical as No. 41 or as special as No. 42. And yes, I’m claiming Jackie Robinson as an honorary Met. The team seems to, so I’m just following its lead.

But 44 is better than 43, which in Mets World appeared to be troublesome with Jim McAndrew being our most successful player to wear it on his back.

So we move on to the David Cone birthday. We share a bond, as he also was a University of Missouri journalism student. Or it could be the Jay Payton birthday, or the Lastings Milledge birthday.

Howard Johnson bailed on the number after just five days, which worries me since I don’t have that option. But Brady Clark has it now, so I’m pulling for him.

And like Brady Clark, who barely made the team, I’m just happy to be here. I write a lot of stories about people who don’t get to be 44 – three in the past week, as a matter of fact.

Every day is a blessing and a gift.

It might not seem like it on an evening when Pedro heads to the DL for the next two months and our new reliever gives up a walk-off homer to a Marlin who is lucky to slap singles.

But you can’t get too down, because there’s always the chance that you can come back the next night and win 13-0.

I think we’re in for a good year.