Sports

PUBLIC SQUABBLE? NOT HERE

MONTREAL – Bobby Valentine wasn’t searching for controversy. A reporter asked if Valentine heard about the Yankees’ plan to keep their Sept. 11 donations private, not wanting publicity. Valentine hadn’t.

The question was asked because even though it seemed as if the Yankees were making a veiled accusation toward the Mets, who have very publicly led baseball in helping out and supporting the rescue workers and victims in the World Trade tragedy. Yankee player rep Mike Stanton, who made the announcement, denies there was any shot taken.

“That’s pretty weak,” said Valentine, while pointing he only felt this way “if” the Yankees’ intention was to discredit the Mets.

Valentine thinks that by calling attention to the cause it may inspire others to give.

“The only reason not to make it public is if you are afraid of solicitation from other people,” Valentine said. “[People] don’t want to go on a donor list. That is why wealthy friends I have don’t ever make their donations public, and they give an awful lot. They just want to pick and choose who they give to, not to be chosen.

“It’s an uncalled-for comment; if it is meant to be disparaging, then it is uncalled for. If it was just out of ignorance, then it can be excused.”

The bottom line is, the Yankees from Joe Torre to Mike Stanton deny they were criticizing the Mets, but if they were, Valentine add it’s “insulting.”