The Mets expect this year’s visit to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center to go better than the last one.
They are scheduled to visit the military hospital tomorrow after they get to Washington, but unlike last year, they aren’t having a meeting about it beforehand, and the club says it’s not mandatory.
“I felt very strongly it should be voluntary,” GM Sandy Alderson, an ex-Marine, said. “I think it’s important for us, and in keeping with the fact that those at Walter Reed have volunteered, we want people to go visit who want to be there.”
When the Mets went last season, three players — Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo and Carlos Beltran — didn’t attend, sparking a controversy.
Perez and Castillo are gone, but Beltran said he will attend. A year ago, he was involved in meetings for the school he is setting up in Puerto Rico.
“I would have been there last year,” Beltran said. “I’ve visited veterans … and I’m looking forward to going.”
Manager Terry Collins said he expects the turnout to be “maxed.”