MET NOTES
The fireworks started early last night at Shea – even before the Mets’ 3-0 loss to the Cubs.
Chicago pitching coach Oscar Acosta was quoted in a published report saying it’s a “crime” that Bobby Valentine is picking the All-Star team, because Acosta thought the Mets’ manager would “only take one” Cub starting pitcher.
Acosta also noted Valentine’s past conflicts with Cub manager Don Baylor as his reason for potentially shunning Chicago hurlers.
Valentine retorted, “You go back and tell [Acosta] that you talked to the league offices, that his pitchers aren’t mentioned on any of the ballots of the other managers in the league. That’s the kind of thing that you [get] from irresponsible people.”
*
Met radio voice Bob Murphy walked gingerly through the clubhouse before last night’s game. It was his first game back since suffering a heart failure on May 27, and the reception was like that for a long-lost relative.
“Glad to have you back. Take it easy now, Murph,” said reliever Dennis Cook. Team captain John Franco said, “Great to have you back. Maybe you can bring us the luck of the Irish.”
The Mets haven’t had much luck this dreary season, 36-48 after last night’s loss.
But the 76-year-old Murphy is the first to admit he’s lucky to be alive, much less driving himself to Shea last night and broadcasting the third, fourth and fifth innings.
“I’m glad to be back – there were so many different things I missed. When you do something for so many years, it becomes your life,” said Murphy, who began broadcasting Met games at the team’s inception in 1962.
Pneumonia led to his heart failure, and he collapsed at home after broadcasting a May 27 game vs. Florida.
“I did a Sunday game at Shea. I had my dinner at 8:30 and just passed out,” Murphy said, snapping his fingers. Joye, his wife of 30 years, called 911. Murphy doesn’t remember anything until waking up that Wednesday night at North Shore Memorial after an angiogram.
*
Mike Piazza expects to resume throwing and maybe hitting today. Tsuyoshi Shinjo’s leg is still stiff, but he tested it yesterday with six 60-yard sprints. He’s not close to returning. …
Mets lost to Cubs at home for the first time since April 16, 1998. They’d beaten Chicago six straight. … Mets went 0-for-8 with men in scoring position, and are 2-for-48 with RISP in the last five games. …
To activate Edgardo Alfonzo, Mets put IF Jorge Velandia on the 15-day DL, retroactive to June 29th, with a left oblique strain.
