ATLANTA – Darryl Hamilton and the Mets parted ways yesterday, followed closely by the inevitable parting shots.
After Hamilton was designated for assignment with the purpose of either releasing him or trading him, both sides pointed fingers. The verbal arsenal was unleashed a day after Hamilton and Bobby Valentine’s heated confrontation in the manager’s office.
Assistant GM Jim Duquette, announcing the move in Valentine’s office before yesterday’s 5-2 loss to the Braves at Turner Field, took the opening shots at Hamilton, and his brother John, the 36-year-old outfielder’s agent.
“[Mets GM] Steve [Phillips] wanted me to make sure we mention that yesterday was the fourth time since spring training that John Hamilton or Darryl had asked for his release or asked be traded,” Duquette said.
Hamilton told The Post from his Houston home that this wasn’t true. Hamilton said he and his brother only asked the Mets once for a trade or his release.
“I know Jim Duquette is trying too hard to make me look bad, but they have a headache for the next three years,” said Hamilton, referring to Valentine’s three-year contract. “I won’t be the last guy to go through this. I’m not the first.”
Although Hamilton said otherwise, The Post knows of at least two instances when a trade or release was requested.
Duquette said the Mets will try to trade Hamilton for a similar-salaried player. The two possibilities seem to be the Orioles’ Delino DeShields or the Mariners’ Al Martin. But deals in these situations are unlikely, so Hamilton will likely get his eventual release, with the Mets picking up the remainder of his $3 million salary for this season.
Hamilton said he didn’t quit on the team, but Valentine said earlier this month he had a team meeting, telling players that if they didn’t want to be there, they should leave. Valentine said John Hamilton then called Phillips and said, “That’s Darryl.”
But Hamilton wasn’t released until the whole situation blew up Friday. Hamilton batted just .214 overall this season, but he hit .340 in June.
His best friend on the club, Lenny Harris, thought that what happened was best for Hamilton.
“I guess he got what he wanted,” Harris said.