Mets7
Phillies2
PHILADELPHIA – Earlier this week, former Mets star Keith Hernandez wrote a scorching critique of the organization, claiming the team “has no heart” and “quit a long time ago.”
Yesterday afternoon, Bobby Valentine passed up one opportunity to respond to the former franchise cornerstone before later taking veiled shots at Hernandez’s claims before and after a 7-2 victory over the Phillies. The Met skipper said the fact injured players such as Edgardo Alfonzo and Roberto Alomar demand to be in the lineup “speaks volumes.”
Last night, the Mets (65-74) increased their winning streak to four games behind Jeromy Burnitz’s three-run homer and a strong seven-inning stint from Al Leiter. Nevertheless, they were eliminated from the NL East race with Atlanta’s victory. Burnitz, who has endured a horrendous season, homered for the third straight day but for just the 15th time this year. The Met right fielder took Phillies starter Brett Myers deep in the sixth to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead. The Mets would bat around and scored two more runs to help Leiter (12-11) win for just the third time in nine starts. Speaking of Burnitz and his entire club, Valentine said, “I think that he shows a lot of spirit of everyone that hasn’t given up. We keep battling. It’s been difficult, but it hasn’t been because of lack of desire or lack of work or lack of effort.”
Hernandez penned a blistering indictment of the Mets in a column dated on Tuesday and posted on the MSG Network website. The Met star from 1983-89 now does TV color commentary on MSG and WPIX. In writing, he was true to his pull-no-punches form. “The club has no heart; the Mets quit a long time ago,” Hernandez wrote. “Bobby Valentine could’ve chewed this team out in June when this stuff started creeping in.
“What moves can Steve Phillips make? They’re stuck. Who’s going to want Mo Vaughn? Who’s going to want Roger Cedeno? Jeromy Burnitz? Those salaries are strapped. “If he gets rid of them, it’ll truly be a Houdini-esque move.”
Hernandez later opined, “Despite their struggles, I think Bobby will be back next year . . . The Mets have to find someone willing to step up, have guts and lead the club – not guys who just sit back on their hands and say, ‘Who, me? I’m just here. I just do my job.’
“Heaven forbid these guys take on any added responsibility.”
Two Met veterans disagreed. “I respect Keith Hernandez,” Mo Vaughn said. “He won a World Series in New York and knows what it takes to a World Series in New York. “But I don’t agree. The Mets got in a bad situation and we never got going.” Added Leiter: “I didn’t [quit]. Keith has a right to his opinion, but I think he’s wrong.”
Told of the comments by a Post reporter, Valentine seemed disinterested and his first response was to ask if Hernandez has watched the team recently. Valentine said, “I think I did chew [the players] out in June.”
Asked if he thought his players quit, Valentine said, “When? In April? June? Lately? No, lately we’re playing our best ball.” Asked if the Mets quit at all this year, Valentine said, “I don’t think so.”
