Sports

COFFEE, TEA OR BEANBALL? DARRYL: METS CAN’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO

BOSTON – At worst, the fact Darryl Hamilton took Roger Clemens’ plane to Houston the day after Clemens beaned Mike Piazza raised some eyebrows in the Mets’ clubhouse.

However, for the most part the Mets were, to use Piazza’s word, “indifferent” about the situation, though Piazza did say he wouldn’t have done the same thing if the roles were reversed.

“I’m still scratching my head as to why this is an issue,” Hamilton, who went with Clemens, Mike Stanton and Andy Pettitte to Houston a week ago today so he could see his foot doctor the next day.

The reason it is an issue is because GM Steve Phillips suggested to All-Star Al Leiter not to go with Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Joe Torre and the Yankee coaches on a charter to the All-Star Game in Atlanta. Plus, led by Piazza, the Met had very harsh words for Clemens.

There are two misconceptions that make the flight less important, though. First, Phillips didn’t tell Leiter to pass on the Yankee charter. Ultimately, Leiter made the choice to take a commercial flight.

“I just felt a little awkward going [with the Yankees],” Leiter said.

Edgardo Alfonzo was never supposed to be on the charter. He planned all along on going commercial with his wife on Monday.

Before yesterday’s game, no Mets seemed especially upset with Hamilton. Bobby Valentine said he didn’t care Hamilton took the flight, adding though it wasn’t his department. The players joked in the clubhouse as the media posse asked Hamilton question after question.

Phillips couldn’t be reached for comment, but assistant GM Jim Duquette spoke to Phillips yesterday.

“It is something he feels is an internal matter,” Duquette said.

Piazza didn’t seem entirely thrilled with Hamilton’s flight with Clemens. But the two Mets spoke before the game and it seemed amiable.

“I don’t see myself hitching a ride with someone on the other team,” Piazza said. “I’m not being critical of Darryl. It is his own decision. I can’t control what he does. Myself personally, I’m not going to start a beef with him.”

Hamilton, who’s been on the disabled list since April 7, thought his decision to fly with Clemens was his choice and nobody else anyway.

“What we talk about is all between us, but even if someone had a problem with that, you can’t tell me what I can’t do,” Hamilton said. “I wasn’t trying to show anybody up. Everybody was very comfortable and it wasn’t a big deal. I mean I’m 35, you can’t tell me what I can and can’t do. I’m a grown man.”

Clemens lives in Houston, just five minutes away from Hamilton.

“I asked [Clemens] a week beforehand and he said sure,” Hamilton said. “It’s no bid deal. He’s a friend of mind. He’s still a friend of mine, and I’ll put that on record.”

or’s appointment for his sprained left foot the next day in Houston. There is no timetable as to when he will return.