PHILADELPHIA – Growing up in San Diego and keeping score of all the Padres games he attended, Ty Wigginton first saw Jay Bell as an All-Star shortstop for the visiting Pirates. Years later, Bell – now Wigginton’s teammate – is on the tenuous edge of forced retirement with the Mets.
But Wigginton, who has become Bell’s best friend on the team, doesn’t want to see the 37-year-old veteran depart.
“I don’t think there’s anyone on this team who would not like to see Jay finish up the year,” Wigginton said yesterday. “I see no reason why he wouldn’t finish up the year.”
A day after a published report indicated that the Mets want Bell to retire, manager Art Howe said there are no plans to cut Bell “at the present time.” It may not be the strongest possible defense, but the first-year Met manager appreciates Bell’s contribution.
“In the clubhouse, who can measure what he does?” Howe said.
A source close to the team said that Bell may lose his roster spot within the next week, but he’s probably safe until the end of the current road trip – which comes to a close Thursday in Montreal.
Former Met manager Bobby Valentine used to bestow the highest praise on veteran players by stating simply, “He knows the difference between right and wrong.”
Howe said, “That’s a good way to put it.”
The Mets recently recalled infielder Jorge Velandia and didn’t play him in three games. Soon second baseman Danny Garcia will be recalled. Bell seemed to see the writing on the wall, although he didn’t state outright that the Mets had talked to him about retirement.
“I know where I’m at right now; it’s a grey area between player and coach,” Bell said. “It’s been extremely enjoyable working with the young guys. We’ll see what happens.
“I see exactly what’s going on. There’s a youth movement, and that allows Met fans to take ownership of some young players.”
Bell did not contemplate retirement or discuss the possibility with his wife, Laura, over the All-Star break. In fact, he had his sons Brantley and Brock at the ballpark when the Mets were at Yankee Stadium recently, and the family enjoys living on the Upper East Side.
Of possibly losing his spot on the roster, Bell said, “That’s certainly not up to me.
“As I said in spring training, whether it was six weeks or six months, I’m going to enjoy every second,” Bell said. “Jeff and Fred [Wilpon] and Jim [Duquette] and Artie will have to make decisions for the future.
“Whether that has me involved in it, so be it. One way or another, it’s been fun.”
Wigginton can’t count the number of ways Bell has helped him adapt as a first-year starter.
“A lot of stuff he’s taught me and helped me, I’ll never forget as long as I’m in baseball,” Wigginton said. “Some day I hope I get to his situation, where I can pass on the same things to somebody.”
Wigginton said Bell has helped him with the angle at which he holds his glove for grounders. Although he said it hasn’t cost him, Wigginton had been holding the glove more parallel to the ground than at a 45-degree angle. Bell picked up on that and told Wigginton about it.
Also, Wigginton said Bell had told him to use less of his hand and more of his elbow to move his glove around in order to keep his hands soft. Small things like that have made a big difference to the rookie third baseman.
“He’s like almost having an extra coach,” Wigginton said.
