MET NOTES
Chestine Bell’s son has done what she taught him.
From the emotional high point of Shea’s Opening Day, when he hit the game-winning homer as his mom looked on, to his average reaching .360, to his struggles now, Derek Bell has kept an even temperament.
With his mom scheduled to come in from Tampa for the upcoming Subway Series, Bell entered last night’s game against the Orioles in a 3-for-45 slump over the past 11 games – dropping his average from .360 to .300.
But the 31-year-old right fielder continues to say he won’t get down. Then he proved it by injecting a little levity into the day.
During a group interview with GM Steve Phillips yesterday, Bell borrowed The Post’s notebook and played reporter at the beginning of the session.
But it is at the plate where the questions concerning Bell right now rest. Bell said he isn’t hitting well recently because he is a little out of whack mechanically. He’s been moving his hands a little too early and not getting his front foot down.
Bell is confident he will end the season around his normal career average – .281 entering this year – because he is keeping his head straight.
“I want my teammates to respect me and know I’m a team player,” said Bell, a free agent at the end of the season.
“My personal stats don’t mean much. In the team, it takes me playing defense and coming in with a positive attitude and doing something on that field to help my team win.”
Bell said that his mother’s taught him growing up in Tampa how to deal with adverse situations. When she had trouble paying bills or whenever there was a problem in her life, she kept her emotions the same.
“That’s what keeps me on an even keel,” Bell said. “I’m a better man if I’m on an even keel, treating people the same way when I’m going good or bad.”
Phillips was unhappy with the negative reports – both in print and broadcast – and had some words for any player who questioned his decision to wait until 7:20 p.m. to call the Tuesday night’s game.
“We have a $75 million to $80 million payroll,” he said. “If we are going to try and play the game or reschedule it on an off date to secure a gate and not have a double-header – it’s difficult to win a double-header – then that is the right thing for the organization to do,” Phillips said.
Tickets from Tuesday night will be honored tonight.
