Catchy Twist to the Latest Met Dilemma

The New York Mets’ acquisition of Mike Piazza has had the immediate and desired impact to lineup and gate, but the potentially explosive issue of how the Mets employ both Piazza and Todd Hundley if the latter returns from reconstructive elbow surgery in the second half remains a topic the club can’t escape and the media won’t ignore.

Both are putting their best face on the situation, saying they’ll make it work, but neither is inclined to make an in-season move to first base.

They had a long talk at the batting cage the other day, after which Piazza said, “We didn’t get into specifics, but we’re definitely on the same page. There was no uncomfortable feeling at all.

“For both of us, it’s about winning. I’ve had personal success, played in All-Star games. That’s nice, but I’ve only been in the playoffs twice, and it didn’t turn out well either time.”

The Dodgers went three and out in 1995 and ’96.

The situation has prompted New Yorkers to recall that the 1961 Yankees were successful employing three catchers: Yogi Berra, Elston Howard and Johnny Blanchard. However, the Mets already have a first baseman (John Olerud) and a relatively set outfield.

There has been speculation that Hundley, if sound, could be traded to the Chicago Cubs, but whether the Mets would help a potential wild-card rival--either in the second half or off-season--is problematic.

Manager Bobby Valentine pointed to his lineup card the other day and said the addition of Hundley to an alignment that includes Piazza--each has hit 40 or more homers in a season--obviously would make a good lineup even better, but he added, “I don’t know how we’re going to do that yet.”

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Underneath that mild demeanor and finesse style beats the heart of a competitor. Greg Maddux proved it again Wednesday when he didn’t let brotherly love interfere with helping a teammate and the Atlanta Braves beat the Cubs, 2-0. It was 1-0 when Mike Maddux came on in the eighth inning, and Greg Maddux told Eddie Perez to “get ready for the sinker.” Mike threw it on a 1-and-2 count, and Perez hit it over the left-field fence.

“I love him and want him to do well,” Greg said of brother Mike, “but I’m trying to win, you know?”

There’s also this: Asked if he had any advice for Cub phenom Kerry Wood, who at 20 is the same age Maddux was when he made his debut with the Cubs, the Atlanta ace said: “Why should I give him any advice? He doesn’t play for my team. Would you?”

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An indication of the Cubs’ sudden contender status came when they ran out of patience this week and sent 1997 rookie-of-the-year candidate Kevin Orie to triple A. Good-fielding, light-hitting Jose Hernandez will take over at third. Said Manager Jim Riggleman: “We’re all accountable--myself, the coaches and the players. The bottom of the lineup has got to pick it up.”

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Only five players remaining on the Florida Marlin roster--Alex Fernandez, Livan Hernandez, Todd Zeile, John Cangelosi and Cliff Floyd--will be paid more this season than the $309,392 Piazza received in the one week he was with the team.

Fernandez, in the second year of a five-year, $35-million deal, has been ahead of schedule in his comeback from shoulder surgery, but is inclined to delay his ’98 debut, seeing no reason to rush back to a decimated team that he contends deceived him when he signed.

“It’s disheartening, embarrassing and not a happy place to be,” he said in Miami.