Root, Root, Root for the Home Team

It would have been understandable had Derek Wallace lost his confidence after the right-handed pitcher began a stint with his third organization and had a 5.01 minor league earned-run average.

But Wallace looked at his July 1995 trade to the New York Mets as “another chance to get to the big leagues,” and he finally made good in 1996.

Wallace, a graduate of Chatsworth High who pitched at Pepperdine, had his finest season since he was a Chicago Cubs’ first-round pick in 1992.

He was a triple-A all-star and spent the final six weeks of the season in the majors.

“It was just a matter of learning how to pitch,” Wallace said.

“The development process doesn’t come overnight. You have to put some work into it. Some guys develop later than others.”

Wallace, who turned 25 on Sept. 1, was 5-2 with a 1.72 ERA and 26 saves at triple-A Norfolk, Va.

He earned a major league promotion in August.

Wallace was in a restaurant with some teammates when he got a phone call from Bobby Valentine, Norfolk’s manager.

The next night, Aug. 13, Wallace was in Shea Stadium, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in the Mets’ loss to the Cubs.

“The first night I wasn’t so much nervous, it was more like being in awe,” he said. “I didn’t feel like I was really there. The second time was when I was really nervous. It took a few outings for the knees to stop shaking, to get to the point where I could be relaxed and get my focus.”

Despite shaking knees, Wallace still pitched well in 19 games with the Mets. He was 2-3 with a 4.01 ERA and three saves.

“He really solidified his chances of making the club out of spring training [in 1997],” said Joe McIlvane, the Mets’ general manager.

McIlvane added that Wallace may not be the Mets’ closer next year, “but ultimately I see him in that role.”

Wallace, who is back home in his condominium in Chatsworth, said he’s planning to rest his arm in October, then start preparing for spring training and, hopefully, a full season in the majors.

“I think I’m ready,” he said.