MLB

NEW PHILLIE PEDRO STILL ‘LOVES’ METS

PHILADELPHIA — Pedro Martinez insists he doesn’t want to face the Mets or see them fail.

CHAT REWIND

Rather, the newest Phillie admitted yesterday that he wanted to pitch for the Mets again. And he gushed that he still loves his old team.

“I can’t hide love,” Martinez said. “I have love for the people in the Mets organization.”

Martinez is now a member of the Mets’ archrivals, but at least publicly he didn’t take any shots at his former club and newest foe. The 37-year-old legend, sporting a red Phillies cap at his introductory press conference and holding up his No. 45 jersey, was adamant that he harbors no bitterness toward the Mets.

“I have a lot of respect for the Mets organization and I understand the business part of baseball,” Martinez said. “And I’ve got nothing to say but God bless them, I wish them well, I hope that they all get healthy and come back to compete.”

Martinez admitted he didn’t perform up to his own expectations during his four-year Mets tenure and said he understood their decision not to pursue him as a free agent.

“I was hoping that the Mets would make that move,” Martinez said. “But they didn’t, and I decided to wait.”

Martinez’s agent, Fernando Cuza, said that the last contact with the Mets was back in April.

Martinez said yesterday he even got nice messages from Carlos Delgado, Johan Santana, Oliver Perez and other Mets personnel.

Of course, how Martinez truly feels — and acts — when the Phillies come to Citi Field Aug. 21-24 will be a better indicator.

GM Ruben Amaro Jr. admitted the hurler could be 2-3 weeks away from joining the Phils. Martinez was put on the disabled list with a strained shoulder, though that likely is more an excuse for him to make minor league starts.

Martinez, who went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA last year, revealed that his final seasons in Flushing were “horrible” in terms of how he physically felt, even admitting he “was stupid sometimes for pitching” despite not being fully healthy. He said his current health makes him optimistic he’ll fare better with Philly.

Martinez said he hopes to be with the Phillies again next year, though he said he’ll consider retirement after this season, no matter what happens.

“But right now,” he said, “I’m itching to play. I want to go back and play.”

mark.hale@nypost.com