For the young guys on the team, last night was a chance to see what Shea Stadium was like when a championship Mets team played there.

As part of the festivities on Gary Carter Night, images of the 1986 World Series championship season were played over the crack of batting practice.

“Half the guys on this team weren’t even born yet,” John Franco said.

It’s been 17 years since the Mets won a World Series, and you know that you’ve been playing a long time if you were in the major leagues in 1986, as Franco was with Cincinnati.

As for Franco, who turns 43 at the end of the season, there may not be a place for him on the rebuilding Mets’ roster next season – but it’s a topic he doesn’t want to talk about.

Signed through this season, Franco is making $3.75 million this year, which isn’t exactly a bargain for a relief pitcher who is 0-2 with a 3.57 ERA in 19 games.

“Right now, I’m just happy to be here pitching,” Franco said yesterday before the Mets faced the Brewers.

“I feel good about this team’s future and I see the direction we’re going. … I think there’s a bright future.”

Franco is the first Met captain since Carter and Keith Hernandez shared that title in 1989, and he’s the longest tenured Met on the roster, here since 1990.

But there’s no denying that Franco’s playing days may be coming to an end, specifically with the Mets as the rebuilding and infusion of young talent continues. Where will there be room for a 43-year old reliever?

A night earlier, after letting his team down against the Brewers, Franco became enraged when asked about his future with the Mets.

“I’m not worried about next year,” he said. “I can’t worry about next year. I worry about tomorrow. Why would you ask that question now? When the season’s over you should ask that question.”

In case you haven’t realized, this year is virtually over already.