Mets’ Record Is Truly Amazin’

I figure there are 14 teams that still have a chance to win the World Series.

One of them is the New York Mets, who in recent years couldn’t have won the College World Series.

Frankly, the Mets have won 50 or 55 more games than I thought they would. I thought they would be around 0-99 at this point.

It used to be that there was no professional team in the New York vicinity worse than the Mets, except, obviously, the Jets and Nets. They were the biggest losers in the tri-state area, not counting Joey Buttafuoco.

But now, the Mets get my vote for comeback team of the millennium.

I am beginning to think there’s a chance the Mets and Yankees could get together in the World Series, in the most exciting matchup since Frank and Kathie Lee. That series could draw crowds of at least 100,000 to each game, counting the police.

On the other hand, perhaps the Mets would rather play the Baltimore Orioles. They could invite that little brat of a Yankee fan who sits in the stands and robs the Orioles of home runs.

In case you haven’t noticed, the Mets have won more games than either the Dodgers or the Angels. I happen to believe that the Mets are every bit as good as the Atlanta Braves, except for pitching, fielding and hitting.

They have a nice little ballclub there, whoever’s on it.

Of course, this didn’t stop the Mets from firing their general manager a few days ago. I gather somebody must have been upset about the team’s record not being 99-0.

I don’t know exactly why Joe McIlvaine was removed as GM, particularly since the Mets aren’t even owned by George Steinbrenner.

In truth, a World Series I would rather see is a rematch of the 1981 one between the Dodgers and the Yankees.

The Game 1 pitchers could be Hideo Nomo vs. Hideki Irabu, which would really make it a World Series, baby.

They could ask Duke Snider, a former New York and L.A. star, to throw out the first ball. That way, I could offer to sing my new song, “Nomo, Irabu and the Duke.”

Of the 14 teams with a realistic shot at the World Series, four have never even been to one.

They are the Houston Astros, the Florida Marlins, the Seattle Mariners and our very own Angels, none of whom has any right to laugh at jokes about the Mets.

Also having a chance are the Cleveland Indians, who last won a World Series during the Truman administration, and the Chicago White Sox, who last won a World Series during . . . well, all I can remember is, Abe Lincoln threw out the first ball.

Here is how I handicap the race:

Atlanta is the team to beat. (I see the Braves rushing out to obtain Curt Schilling, thus giving them every good pitcher in America.)

Baltimore is my second favorite. (Team co-owner Tom Clancy is working on his new book, “The Hunt for Mr. October.”)

Next, I like Cleveland (particularly the Alomar brother who doesn’t spit) and the Yankees (because I’d like to see Hideki Irabu win a championship, considering everything that he and Don Mattingly have meant to Steinbrenner over the years.)

Seattle should be a factor. (Except for its pitching staff of Randy Johnson and Pray For Rain Inside the Dome.)

I would pick the Angels, but only if they acquire Mark McGwire. (There continue to be two opinions on this, mine and the wrong one.)

In the National League, the wild card should be either the Marlins or the Dodgers, both of whom are owned by men who can’t wait to sell them. (Gary Sheffield thinks the Marlins will be OK, if management goes out and buys eight more players.)

A factor could be the San Francisco Giants, who naturally are rooting for the Dodgers if they can’t win it themselves.

Otherwise, it’s a crapshoot. (And speaking of Albert Belle, you have to give the White Sox a shot.)

I do doubt that St. Louis will win, although in the National League Central, anything is possible, even a winning record. My sentimental choice is Pittsburgh, which is paying most of its players $4.75 per hour, plus expenses.

The next few weeks will tell.

Personally, I see the Mets winning the wild card, then the division, then the first three games of the World Series, then firing their general manager.