Milledge has no regrets

AP

Give Lastings Milledge credit for honesty.

The Washington Nationals outfielder did not let out one phony “I’m sorry” or a fake “I’ve changed” while speaking today about his occasionally rocky time with the Mets.

“If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it the same way that I did it. I have no regrets for what I did — the way I played the game or anything,” Milledge said, sitting on a stool in front of his locker, arms crossed. “I would do everything the same.”

Once touted as the Mets’ top prospect after being the 12th overall pick in the 2003 amateur draft, Milledge did not endear himself to some teammates or his club when he arrived in the majors two years ago.

Why?

“Maybe because I didn’t fit into that rookie mold that everybody’s supposed to fit in,” said Milledge, who turns 23 in April and does not lack for confidence. “When I came up to the big leagues, I felt like I could help the team. Usually rookies get in where they fit in, but I’m actually trying to help the team and be a big asset.”

A series of things drew attention along the way:

High-fiving fans after a home run.

A reprimand for not running hard on the bases.

The rap CD with offensive lyrics.

Nothing illegal, certainly. Mistakes of youth or exuberance or both, mostly.

Yet enough to prompt a teammate to post a sign reading, “Know your place, Rook” in Milledge’s locker in the visiting clubhouse at, coincidentally, RFK Stadium during a September 2006 road trip.

“He’s perceived as having a bad past,” said Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca, who was with the Mets in 2006-07. “From what I’ve seen the last two years, he’s a kid that works very, very hard; is here early; leaves late. There’s never been an issue with that. Hustles. Plays the game the right way.”

Washington manager Manny Acta was the Mets’ third-base coach in 2006, and he looked out for Milledge.

“I just tried to put my arms around him and try to teach him some of the stuff that goes on here so guys will just leave him alone a little bit. Everybody, when they get up here, needs that,” Acta said.

“He had that presence. He’s very sure of himself. But he’s a great kid.”

Milledge, in turn, recalled that Acta “took me under the wing, which some guys really didn’t do because I guess I rubbed them the wrong way or they felt that I … disrespected the game. So I leaned on him.”

He figures things will go more smoothly with the Nationals.

For one thing, Milledge expects to thrive when finally given a chance to play every day.

For another, the media glare in the nation’s capital is far less intense than in the Big Apple.

And the Nationals have fewer longtime veterans than the Mets.

“There’s a lot of young guys on this team. You’re not as nervous, and you kind of fit in with everybody else,” Milledge said. “I feel more relaxed in this clubhouse.”

What he won’t do is alter his personality.

When he hit his first career homer in June 2006, a game-tying shot in the 10th inning of a game against San Francisco, Milledge raised his index finger as he rounded first base, then came out for a curtain call. Then, as he jogged to right field for the 11th, he slapped hands with dozens of spectators leaning over a railing at Shea Stadium.

At the time, Willie Randolph told Milledge to tone it down. Teammate Cliff Floyd’s reaction that night was: “Oh, boy. He has a little growing up to do.”

“I really don’t think he was doing it to show anybody up. I really do feel that. I think he was just excited. It was part of why he loves the game,” Lo Duca said this week. “He took a lot of razzing for it.”

As for how much stock Acta puts in his previous time with Milledge, the manager said: “We can get along as good as me and my wife — he still has to go out there and perform.”

The Nationals are looking for a return on their investment. They traded two starting players — catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church — to New York, well aware of Milledge’s potential.

Here’s how Lo Duca put it: “Unbelievable offensive talent.”

When Washington holds its first official full-squad workout tomorrow, Milledge will be penciled in as the starting center fielder and a possible leadoff or No. 2 hitter.

Shuttling among all three outfield positions in New York last season, Milledge hit .272 with seven homers and 29 RBIs in 184 at-bats. Milledge called center his “natural position,” saying his offensive stats were best there.

“I’ve always been humble. I don’t ever say, ’I’m the best guy on the team.’ I just go out there and play to the best of my ability,” Milledge said. “And usually, I come out on top.”