METS MAY STICK IT TO BOMBERS

Through the years, the Mets and Yankees have not been the most willing trade partners. Teams in the same city don’t like to be reminded of their mistakes.

Fred Wilpon, who has always been a gentleman owner, has made it a point not to ruffle George Steinbrenner’s feathers. Wilpon has gone out of his way to make peace with King George.

The kid gloves may come off soon, though and Wilpon has the perfect situation to make a significant Big Apple Turnover. This is a different kind of trade.

The Mets just may be ready to play “Stick” Ball.

With GM Steve Phillips on the way to new horizons and assistant GM Jim Duquette sitting in a great position to move up a notch in the Mets’ hierarchy, Inspyders insist that Gene Michael is on the Mets’ radar screen to help rejuvenate the franchise.

Michael, a wizard when it comes to All Things Baseball, would be the perfect addition to the Mets’ front office to aid Duquette just as he has helped Yankee GM Brian Cashman. This is a possibility the Mets are entertaining. Don’t forget the Red Sox wanted Michael but were stopped cold by the Boss. The Red Sox still might want to add Michael to their front office to aid young Theo Epstein.

Michael currently holds the convoluted Yankee title: VP, special adviser to the general partners. His contract runs out at the end of the year, we’re told, and considering the Tampa and New York factions, it’s possible that Stick could move across town. Now that would be something special.

THE QUIET MAN

Santana Moss has this to say about ex-teammate DT William Joseph, the Giants’ top pick: “William Joseph is a well-mannered guy; he’s a freak on the football field. In all my years there, all I could get him to say is ‘Tana Man, what’s up?’ “

ROCKET BOWL

Roger Clemens’ bowling team may have finished sixth in an eight-team competition, but the Fire and Police Widows and Children’s Fund was $20,000 richer following last weekend’s event at the Jersey Lanes in Linden. Clemens, who is on the threshold of his historic 300th victory, had to promise not to bowl (imagine explaining a bowling injury to the Boss), as did catcher Jorge Posada. It didn’t stop Posada’s team, filled with Shop Rite executives and employees, from winning the competition that was sponsored by Kellogg’s. Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s team was second. Earl (The Pearl) Monroe bowled the high game, a 210. Next were Keith Hernandez (208) and Frazier (202).

$HOE WARS

The Insiders asked former Fort Hamilton High schoolboy legend Albert King whether Nike made a worthwhile gamble signing phenom LeBron James to that Tigeresque $90 million sneaker deal.

“I think so,” King Albert told us, “but I think that Nike has all the pressure. He doesn’t. He has the money in the bank. He loves playing basketball, so I’m sure he wants to play up to his level. If he doesn’t, Nike’s gonna have to find an excuse why he didn’t.”

King, who owns a Wendy’s franchise in Englewood, N.J. and would love to continue broadcasting, signed a three-year, $100,000 sneaker deal with Nike when he joined the Nets out of Maryland in 1977. “Are the young kids going to run out and buy his sneaker before he starts playing?” King asks. “I don’t know.”

King points out that only if LeBron is the Air Apparent will Nike will get the return on its investment. From the highlights, King loves LeBron’s game. “He can handle the ball,” King said. “He has the body of an NBA player. he jumps out of the gym . . . if he’s in the open court, he’s gonna be great.”

King Albert is happy for LeBron. He has no regrets. “Would I like to have $90 million? Yes,” he says. “Am I going to stay awake thinking about it? No.”

WHO AM I?

We recently caught up with this New York star. Here are a few of his favorite things. Check out Postscripts to see which young star we’re talking about.

Favorite actress: Julia Roberts.

Favorite actors: Mel Gibson and Kevin Costner.

Favorite movie: Legends of the Fall.

Favorite meal: “It’s called The Oldtimers Breakfast at Cracker Barrel. It is two eggs over easy, bacon, hashed browns, grits and biscuits and gravy.”

Favorite Book: Eight Men Out.

Favorite Broadway Play: Lion King.

Favorite ice cream: Vanilla.

LONGBALL

One of the highlights of the Foundation Fighting Blindness golf tournament this week at beautiful Metedeconk National Golf Course in Jackson, N.J. was watching Jeff Nettles drive the golf ball, according to our colleague Phil Mushnick.

Graig Nettles’ son, who plays third base for the Somerset Patriots, crushed one unbelievable drive 335 yards up a hill “and that was with a little fade,” noted the proud father. John Daly should be so good.

POSTSCRIPTS

Ex-Met and current Birmingham Barons manager Wally Backman is being mentioned as a possible replacement for Jerry Manuel when the White Sox send the nice guy packing, probably after the All-Star break. Jim Fregosi also is in the running . . . Regis Philbin will receive this year’s Joe DiMaggio Memorial Award at the annual dinner of Xaverian High School (Brooklyn) June 10 at the Marriott Marquis. Tommy Lasorda, former Dodger manager, will present the award to Philbin . . . Who Am I? Chad Pennington, of course . . . Al Groh likes the marriage between his old boss, Bill Parcells, and Jerry Jones. “Will there be an explosion here and there? Perhaps,” Groh tells us. “But I think they both have the same agenda” . . . Some NFL stars should take note: NASCAR Winston Cup Points Leader Matt Kenseth is being featured in Smirnoff Ice Triple Black’s new television ads promoting their responsible drinking campaign dubbed, “Drink Intelligently.”