MET NOTES
Benny Agbayani chuckled for a moment. Then he paused and looked at a reporter.
“You’ve got to put me on the spot right away,” Agbayani said after being asked if he missed New York. “Of course I miss New York.”
When the Colorado Mets, err, Rockies, came to Shea last night, there was no one on the visitors whom fans missed more than Agbayani. Agbayani didn’t start, but he expects to be in the lineup today against Al Leiter.
Besides Agbayani, Colorado’s 25-man roster features ex-Mets Mike Hampton, who starts today, Todd Zeile, Rick White and catcher Gary Bennett. Not to mention new manager Clint Hurdle.
Zeile missed last night to attend his godfather’s funeral in California. Zeile chartered a plane to return last night. He is expected to be in the lineup today.
Hurdle managed in the Mets’ minor-league system and was rumored for a time to be the man for that job at Shea. Did he ever think it was going to happen?
“I think I was naive enough at the time to think that might happen,” Hurdle said. “I didn’t quite understand the frailty of the game and the frugality of the game and how things can change.”
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Edgardo Alfonzo didn’t start yesterday because of a strained right biceps. Manager Bobby Valentine expected Alfonzo to start today. Valentine said he didn’t think anything else was wrong with Alfonzo, who hasn’t hit a homer in 118 at-bats. John Valentin started at third last night in Alfonzo’s place.
Roger Cedeno didn’t start last night, as Valentine said Cedeno tries to get locked in at the plate. Valentine hinted Cedeno may receive more than one day to work out the kinks. Timo Perez, out since last Sunday with a sprained right middle finger, returned to the lineup in left. Jay Payton was in center.
John Franco has no timetable on when he will decide on surgery to attempt a comeback or retire. He’s receiving plenty of advice. Mayor Bloomberg called him yesterday. Franco planned on phoning former Met Pete Harnisch.
GM Steve Phillips laughed off the radio talk that said Mike Piazza shouldn’t have filmed a movie after midnight Thursday. Phillips even said he was “glad” Piazza did the movie, starring Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant.
Before today’s game, equipment manager Charlie Samuels – who used to weigh around 300 pounds – will receive a Lexus from Vince Piazza, Mike’s dad. After making a bet with Vince, Samuels has lost 100 pounds to receive the car. When Agbayani saw Samuels, the ex-Met fell to the ground in astonishment.
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Three of the Mets’ four minor-league teams are in first place in their divisions. Binghamton (Double-A), St. Lucie (Single-A) and Capital City (South Atlantic League) all sit atop their standings. Triple-A Norfolk in second place in the International League.
‘Does John Franco belong in the Hall of Fame?
That question was posted on NYPOST.COM yesterday. As of 5:00 last night, more than 1,400 readers had responded. The results:
Yes 42.5%
No 57.5%