MET NOTES

In the world of the Mets, the only thing that can be bizarre is when things are normal. So at 4:32 p.m. yesterday, guess who walked into the Mets’ clubhouse?

Rickey Henderson, who was released on Saturday, came back one more time to retrieve the leftovers he didn’t get on Sunday. The 41-year-old Henderson could be picked up today by another club.

“I’m getting all my stuff,” said Henderson, who hit .219 as a Met this season. “Other than that, everything is beautiful.”

Not to Mets owner Fred Wilpon, who expressed his view on the Y2K Rickey before yesterday’s game.

“We are certainly disappointed that Rickey is not going to play like he did last year,” said Wilpon of Henderson, who hit .315 last season. “He was certainly an important part of that team. But that’s the way it happens in life. We wish Rickey the best, but we’ve got to fill the spot.”

Bobby Valentine didn’t know that Henderson had showed up yesterday, but he did meet with the all-time stolen-base leader in the manager’s office on Sunday.

“He was in my office the other day and we had a nice talk,” said Valentine, who spoke casually outside the batting cage with Wilpon before last night’s game. “I think he feels he has an opportunity here that is going to benefit his career.”

Henderson’s release was the second really big controversy that the Mets have had this year. The other was Whartongate.

Looking back, would the Mets’ owner have done anything different?

“No, I don’t thinks so,” Wilpon said. “I think our guys handled the Rickey situation very well. They evidenced a lot of respect and certainly and patience. I think the season has gone as expected. There is nothing I would say, ‘Oh my God, why didn’t we do this vs. that?’ I think we’re better than OK. I think we have a good team and we’re going to start playing.”

As Henderson left, he chimed in with his familiar message to the media.

“You’ve guys got to go find somebody else,” said Henderson, who has constantly reminded reporters that he sells their papers.

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Rey Ordonez, after missing four starts with a sore right shoulder, returned to the Mets’ lineup yesterday. Ordonez said that he felt good after taking batting practice.

Valentine added that Ordonez wasn’t limited in anyway or else he wouldn’t be in the lineup. Ordonez pinch-ran last Friday.