MET NOTES
Mike Piazza considers himself fiscally conservative, but his liberal use of expletives after Sunday’s ejection could cost him some dough.
Piazza and other Mets criticized the umpiring of Eric Cooper following the 4-3 loss to the Angels.
“I’m not commenting. It’s under investigation,” MLB vice president Bob Watson said yesterday.
Watson said he has a copy of the tape “on my desk,” but wouldn’t give a timetable as to when he might reach a decision.
The Met catcher risks a fine not only because of his ejection but because he accused Cooper of being incompetent and unprofessional behind the dish in the homestand finale.
Other people who pointed out Cooper’s strike calls and behavior were Willie Randolph, Pedro Martinez and Braden Looper.
Major League Baseball is not considered as draconian as the NFL when it comes to fining people regarding criticism, so Piazza may very well end up OK.
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The Mets will wait to see if Mike Cameron‘s left ring finger keeps him out of the lineup tonight in Oakland. Cameron was pulled for a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning Sunday after he dislocated the digit at second base earlier in the day.
“I didn’t want to put myself in any more jeopardy as far as going up there and giving away at-bats,” Cameron said. “We’ll find out about Tuesday when Tuesday comes.”
Cameron and the Mets have other physical maladies. On Saturday night, Cameron told The Post that his right knee felt “almost like a bowling ball” and Doug Mientkiewicz admitted after Sunday’s game that “Cammie’s hanging on by a thread.”
Carlos Beltran is also playing, despite a strained right quad.
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Danny Graves used to be a closer, and he wasted no time closing out some housing in New York. Graves said he’s already found a place to crash in the city, although he won’t be able to move his stuff in until he returns from the road trip. Graves, a Miami (Fla.) product, credits former school buddies with helping out.