MET NOTES
PORT ST. LUCIE – Tom Glavine speculated that his pal and former teammate John Smoltz might be trying to psych up his team or psych out a rival by calling the Mets the best adversary the Braves have had in the period in which they have won 14 straight division titles.
But Glavine did allow this possibility: “One reason he might have said it is that he honestly believes it.”
Smoltz was quoted in yesterday’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution saying, “It’s the Mets and then us (in the NL East). They’re definitely the favorites. No question.”
He added, “They’re the best team we’ve had to face so far. On paper, they are better than the Marlins were or the Phillies were or the Mets of the past were. They look loaded.”
Glavine said, “I hope he is right. It is hard not to take notice of what we have done. But we still have to find a way to do what the Braves have done, which is do it on the field.”
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Pedro Martinez jokingly said he “survived” in reporting no recurring toe problems yesterday after throwing from the slope of the mound 24 hours earlier for the first time in this camp in shoes specially designed to alleviate his pain. The Mets said Martinez would not be in camp today so he can deal with a personal issue. The Mets said he had arranged this day off with the blessing of Omar Minaya and Willie Randolph before spring training.
He said he would throw from higher up on the mound tomorrow.
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Met farmhand Jeff Keppinger was sent to New York for tests after he suffered recurring back spasms.
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Darryl Strawberry is expected in camp today to begin work as a guest instructor. Randolph said Strawberry works particularly well with young players.
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Met coach Manny Acta, who will serve as the Dominican’s manager in the World Baseball Classic, said he has still not officially been told that Manny Ramirez is not playing. Acta said if the reports are verified he will play his outfield with Moises Alou in left, Juan Encarnacion in center and Vladimir Guerrero in right. As for definitely losing third baseman Aramis Ramirez, Acta said it was not crippling because he can still pick among Adrian Beltre, Pedro Feliz and Placido Polanco.
“It is not like as if Alex Rodriguez were playing for Guam,” Acta said. “We have other choices.”
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Randolph used a rainy day at Met camp to gather many of his players for a skull session to discuss strategy. He said, “We talked hitting, we talked defense. I don’t think we in baseball do this enough now, talk the game.”
