MET NOTES
PHILADELPHIA – After being left out of the starting lineup last night, Rickey Henderson spent part of pre-game workouts in the dugout instead of getting prepared with the rest of the Mets.
Henderson did take batting practice, but while his teammates played the field, he sat in Mets’ dugout. This occurred at the beginning of the team’s pre-game preparation. This is not the customary routine for players.
Henderson decided not to fully participate after he saw last night’s lineup card that had Melvin Mora leading off and playing third, with Benny Agbayani in left.
Manger Bobby Valentine turned the perceived negative connotation of the question – “Why did you give Henderson the night off?” – into a positive.
“I’m giving Benny a day to play,” Valentine said before last night’s Phillies-Mets game.
The 41-year-old Henderson said during the spring that he would be unhappy if he is utilized in the same way he was last year. Last year, Henderson put up a .315 average in 121 games. It was his best average by 41 points since ’95. His games were also cut due to injury last season.
Henderson’s not talking, but his agent is, trying to put to rest any notion that Henderson might tank to get out of his $2 million deal that expires at the end of this season.
“Rickey is signed for the 2000 season with the New York Mets and we fully expect him to honor his contract,” agent Jeff Borris said.
Henderson was hitting .167 in 30 at-bats entering last night.
GM Steve Phillips earlier this week reacted with glee upon hearing of Henderson’s month-long media boycott.
Valentine said, “I have no thoughts on it.”
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Derek Bell’s strong night Wednesday was partly due to the video session hitting coach Tom Robson showed him before that night’s game. Robson showed Bell the difference between his leg kick then and now.
Bell took time to show the media a note that the man he calls his father figure, Houston batting coach Tom McCraw gave him. It read, “Remember you are in the top 10 of National League hitters. Play hard every day.” Bell takes the note everywhere he goes.
McCraw is doing well with the Astros after being diagnosed with prostate cancer last season.
Bell went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI-single on Wednesday. He raised his average from .138 to .212.
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Valentine spoke with Mike Hampton, whose knee is expected to be fine by his next start on Tuesday. Valentine wouldn’t give details of the conversation.
Hampton’s three-inning performance Wednesday was his shortest since June 15, 1998 in Cincinnati. The six runs he gave up were the most since September of last season when he gave up eight (seven earned) at St. Louis.
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Paul Wilson pitched 4 2/3 shutout innings for the Mets’ Class-A St. Lucie affiliate earlier this week. In 7 2/3 innings, Wilson has allowed one run.