A National Talk Show

Maybe the Houston Astros would have planned differently had they realized Brian Jordan is offended easily.

Strategy aside, angering the Atlanta Brave right fielder simply didn’t make sense. The Astros learned that the hard way while watching Jordan help end their season. Now he’s facing another potential antagonist.

The New York Mets also are expected to pitch around Chipper Jones in the National League championship series--which begins tonight at Turner Field--preferring to challenge Jordan.

Jordan will be on the spot if the Mets avoid Jones, and the Braves’ cleanup batter is comfortable in that role. Just ask the Astros.

“They basically insulted me by pitching around Chipper, and I made it clear how I felt about that,” Jordan said. “It was a slap in the face, but I decided to express my feelings on the field.

“Now, the Mets have to make a choice about how to pitch to us. They have to make their decision, and I think I’ve made it clear how I feel about challenges.”

He enjoys them.

Houston pitchers eagerly explained their approach against the Braves during the division series, saying they would pitch around Jones, the Braves’ No. 3 batter. The switch-hitting third baseman hit 45 home runs and is expected to be selected the NL most valuable player.

The plan seemed sound because of Jones’ performance and Jordan’s right-wrist problems, which hampered him after the All-Star break. However, Jordan’s wrist has been improving, and the Astros’ comments helped fuel his recovery.

Jordan batted .471 with a home run and seven runs batted in during the Braves’ series victory. His three-run home run and two-run double accounted for all Atlanta’s runs in a 5-3, 12-inning Game 3 victory at the Astrodome.

“They kept talking about avoiding Chipper on TV, in the newspapers, everywhere,” Jordan said. “I was a little surprised they kept doing that, but that was fine.

“All they did was turn up the heat. That just made the challenge even bigger for me, and there’s nothing I want more than to perform in big games. To be able to come through for the team is a great joy for me.”

The Astros won the battle with Jones. He became frustrated because of Houston’s tactics and batted only .231 with one RBI.

Jordan enabled the Braves to win the war, Jones said.

“He was awesome,” Jones said. “He’s obviously the hottest guy in our lineup right now, and he’s picking up the slack for everybody else, especially me. He really carried us against Houston.”

Many thought Jordan was the league’s first-half MVP.

He batted .295 with 17 homers and 71 RBIs. The Braves signed Jordan in the off-season--persuading him to leave the St. Louis Cardinals for a five-year, $40-million deal--and his situation couldn’t have been better.

Then he was hit on the right hand by a pitch from the Montreal Expos’ Mike Thurman on June 22, and the problems began.

Jordan experienced numbing pain in his wrist for weeks and cortisone shots didn’t help. Jordan’s swing was affected and he couldn’t generate much bat speed.

The former Atlanta Falcon defensive back became accustomed to playing through pain during his three-year NFL career, but the wrist injury forced him to consider ending his season in September.

“I’d say in early September, I thought my season was going to be over,” Jordan said. “I was struggling pretty bad. I was in a lot of pain, and I was starting to lack a little confidence. When that happens, you can pack your bags.”

Jordan remained in the lineup because the Braves had already lost several everyday players because of illness and injuries. Jordan feared the team might not overcome losing another key player, so he hoped for the best.

Bob Kersee provided help.

The noted track and field coach and trainer worked with Jordan daily. Kersee eased Jordan’s pain through cross-friction therapy, stretching the joints in his wrist. Jordan, who still works with Kersee, played in 153 games and batted .283 with 23 homers and a personal-best 115 RBIs.

“My hand is a lot better,” Jordan said. “Bob said my joint was jammed in my wrist, which was the reason for all my pain. Basically, [the therapy] puts you in more pain than you’re already in to actually lessen the pain come game time.

“He just pulls my joint apart and really loosens it up. He digs in there to where I’m in a lot of pain. When the games begin, I don’t even think about it [his wrist].”

Jordan’s teammates admire his sacrifice.

“It would have been real easy for him to just sit for the rest of the year with the pain he was in,” shortstop Walt Weiss said. “Everybody knew what he was dealing with and we would have understood. But call it that football mentality [toughness] or whatever, he wanted to be out there for us.

“He really provided an emotional lift by staying out there. It didn’t surprise me that he’d do that.”

Center fielder Andruw Jones said Jordan’s contribution was immeasurable throughout this difficult season.

“We lost Cat [first baseman Andres Galarraga], and [catcher] Javy [Lopez] and so many guys this year,” he said. “We needed somebody else to step up, and that’s what he did. I don’t know what would have happened if he didn’t.”

With Chipper Jones hitting four homers, the Braves swept the Mets in a key three-game September series en route to their eighth division championship in the ‘90s. The Mets obviously didn’t pitch around Jones in that series.

“You have to make good pitches to this entire team,” New York Manager Bobby Valentine said. “They didn’t do it [succeed] with one man providing the offense.”

True, but Jones remains the Mets’ focal point. The Braves won the season series, 9-3, and Jones batted .400 with seven homers and 16 RBIs.

Jones acknowledges he begins this series out of sync at the plate, but the Braves won’t be surprised if the Mets work around him.

Again, that’s fine with Jordan.

“I’m OK with whatever they want to do,” Jordan said. “This game is about challenges. I’m ready for another one.”