* As usual, the Mets played the waiting game, and once again they lost. I’m really fed up with the Mets, and particularly owner Fred Wilpon and general manager Sandy Alderson after they lost out on outfielder Michael Bourn. All I keep hearing is they made a strong effort to get Bourn with a four-year deal, but in reality their pursuit was a sham. If they really wanted Bourn, they would have made the deal weeks ago regardless of the possible loss of a draft pick. Instead, they decided to wait out the process, which ultimately ended with Bourn signing with the Indians.
On top of that, Wilpon continues to say the Bernie Madoff fiasco is behind him and the Mets are ready to add payroll. That’s some statement from an owner who let Michael Morse go to Seattle, Rick Ankiel sign with Houston, never wanted to re-sign Scott Hairston for a two-year deal after he hit 20 home runs last season and now let Bourn go to the Indians. The reality is, all Mets management is doing is playing a cat and mouse game with no attempt to build a winner. As a fan since 1968, I have never seen a more delusional front office in baseball than this.
KENNY CULLEN
Throggs Neck
Youk gotta be kiddin’
* Kevin Youkilis, your actions will speak louder than your words, both in Yankee Stadium and on the streets of The Bronx. I hope you roll up your sleeves, on and off the field.
T. KING
Manhattan
* Now that Alex Rodriguez is on the shelf and Kevin Youkilis has taken his place, perhaps John Sterling should change his home run call from “An A-bomb from A-Rod” to “A nuke from the Youk.”
CHUCK ECKSTEIN
Brooklyn
Playoff? No, bust
* We have come to the All-Star break, and Knicks fans continue to talk about a championship this season for their aging, often-injured team while it appears former Knicks Zach Randolph, David Lee, Danilo Gallinari, Jeremy Lin, Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson — and their respective playoff-bound teams — might have just as good a shot at the title. The inconsistent Knicks and their pseudo-MVP candidate, Carmelo Anthony, will be lucky to get to the second round of the playoffs.
BILL GREEN
East Fishkill, N.Y.
Russell trumps Air
* Michael Jordan caused quite a stir this week when he told NBA-TV he would take Kobe Bryant over LeBron James, citing Bryant’s five rings to James’ one. I don’t agree with Jordan, but his logic is hard to argue with, which is why I would tab Bill Russell over Jordan as the NBA’s best player ever. Russell has 11 rings to Jordan’s six.
Don’t get me wrong, Michael Jordan wasn’t chopped liver. He had a great will to win and dominated his era, but he was no Bill Russell. Russell had to contend with players who were bigger and stronger and he almost always came out on top. Not only that, but Russell was the only player ever to win an NBA championship as a player-coach. Anyone who disagrees should go back and look at the video tape. If they do they will agree Bill Russell is by far, the best NBA player ever.
KEN DREXLER
North Woodmere, N.Y.