MLB

Jackson ready to make Hall of an apology to Carters

(
)

BOSTON — Reggie Jackson said yesterday he was looking to contact Gary Carter’s widow to apologize for comments made about “The Kid’s’’ Hall of Fame spot.

In a recent Sports Illustrated article, Jackson lumped Carter in with Kirby Puckett, Jim Rice and others as players he questioned being in the Hall of Fame.

Jackson also cast doubt about Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte being worthy of Hall of Fame status because of performance enhancing drug usage. Rodriguez admitted in 2009 to using PEDs while with the Rangers. Pettitte also admitted using PEDs.

“Al’s a very good friend, but I think there are real questions about his numbers,” Jackson told SI. “As much as I like him, what he admitted about his usage does cloud some of his records.”

“With friends like that who needs enemies,’’ Rodriguez said with a smile on his face last night before the Yankees-Red Sox game at Fenway Park when asked what he thought of Jackson’s remarks. “We are really excited about the four games here and our team’s focus and my focus is on baseball.’’

Jackson spoke with Rodriguez and Pettitte yesterday and talked with Yankees brass.

“I didn’t see Kirby Puckett as a Hall of Famer,” Jackson told SI. “I didn’t see Gary Carter as a Hall of Famer. I didn’t see Don Sutton as a Hall of Famer. I didn’t see Phil Niekro as a Hall of Famer. As much as I like Jim Rice, I’m not so sure he’s a Hall of Famer.”

Rice, appearing on NESN’s Red Sox pregame show last night, said, “It’s not good, but I’m in the Hall of Fame. He can’t take it away, so I’m not worried about it.”

Noting that Carter died in February, former Met teammate Ron Darling criticized Jackson’s timing.

For his part, Jackson was contrite about his comments made at lunch with friends and SI’s Phil Taylor.

“I am very disappointed [the Carter comments are] out there and I am embarrassed,’’ Jackson said by phone yesterday. “I have a number for his wife [Sandy] and I want to talk to her and the family. That needs to be noted. I am calling to apologize for inappropriate comments while I was talking to friends.’’

Jackson left a message for Sandy Carter yesterday afternoon.

Jackson refused to say Taylor misquoted him, and Jackson said he never told Taylor what was on or off the record.

Jackson, who is a Yankees employee, spoke to team officials about his comments. Team president Randy Levine didn’t comment on what was said to Jackson, a special advisor.

Disciplinary action isn’t being taken by the Yankees against Jackson for talking about Rodriguez and Pettitte, but Jackson likely won’t be around the club for a while.

He said he was going to the All-Star Game in Kansas City next week but didn’t plan on being in Boston this weekend.

As for expounding on his comments about Rodriguez, Pettitte and Hall of Fame members not showing up for the ceremonies of suspected PED users such as Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, Jackson didn’t comment.

george.king@nypost.com