Lastings Milledge made his return to Shea Stadium on Tuesday, but Paul Lo Ducaâs homecoming will have to wait at least a day.
The two popular ex-Mets came back as members of the Nationals for the first time since departing Queens in the offseason.
Although the hot-hitting Milledge was in the lineup and went 1-for-3 with a double in Washington’s 6-0 loss as he surprisingly heard some boos, Lo Duca sat because of a thumb injury.
The Brooklyn-born Lo Duca said he canât wait to play at Shea just to hear what the reaction from the Mets faithful will be.
âIf they boo me, I can just say they were saying my last name, `Duke,ââ he joked. âSome are going to boo, some are going to cheer. The fans here were great to me. They were behind me the whole way. Their reaction will be interesting.â
Lo Duca, whose name was mentioned prominently in the Mitchell Report, said he holds no grudge toward the Mets. But he continues to wonder why they let him go without explanation.
âI guess Iâll never know why,â he said.
Milledge, meanwhile, was enjoying his return before the game, chatting with Jose Reyes and several other Mets.
âItâs great to be back, although I love where Iâm at now,â he said.
