MET NOTES

The fireworks got started early last night at Shea. After Chicago pitching coach Oscar Acosta was quoted in a published report saying it’s a “crime” Bobby Valentine is picking the All-Star team, because he thought the Mets’ manager would “only take one” Cubs starting pitcher. Acosta noted Valentine’s past conflicts with Cubs manager Don Baylor as his reason for potentially shunning Chicago’s hurlers.

Valentine retorted, “You go back and tell [Acosta] that you talked to the league offices, that his pitchers aren’t mentioned on any of the ballots of the other managers in the league. That’s the kind of thing that you [get] from irresponsible people.”

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Venerable WFAN announcer Bob Murphy walked gingerly through the Mets clubhouse before last night’s game against Chicago. It was his first game back since suffering a heart failure on May 27th, and the reception was like that for a long-lost relative.

“Glad to have you back. Take it easy now, Murph,” said reliever Dennis Cook. Team captain John Franco said, “Great to have you back. Maybe you can brig us the luck of the Irish.”

The Mets haven’t had much luck this dreary season, 36-47 going into this homestand. But the 76-year-old Murphy is the first to admit he’s lucky to be alive, much less driving himself to Shea last night, and broadcasting the third, fourth and fifth innings.

“I’m glad to be back. There were so many different things I missed. When you do something for so many years, it becomes your life,” said Murphy, in his 40th year broadcasting the team.

Pneumonia led to his heart failure, which is different from by dangerous like a heart attack. And he collapsed at home after broadcasting a May 27th game vs. Florida.

“I did a Sunday game at Shea. I had my dinner at 8:30 and just passed out,” Murphy said, snapping his fingers. Joye, his wife of 30 years, called 911; Murphy doesn’t remember anything until waking up that Wednesday night at North Shore Memorial after an angiogram.

“The doctor who pulled me back from the edge, Steve Charno, is the biggest Yankee fan who ever lived,” Murphy said. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him.”

The Mets placed IF Jorge Velandia on the 15-day DL, retroactive to June 29th, with a left oblique strain. … Mike Piazza expects to resume throwing and maybe hitting today. Tsuyoshi Shinjo’s leg is still stiff, but he tested it yesterday with six 60-yard sprints. He’s not close to returning.

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Donne Wall is expected to make his return today, after having two days off following consecutive outings.