Report: Mets Ask for Shea Repairs

With negotiations for new stadiums on hold because of the city’s looming deficit, the New York Mets are asking for structural improvements at Shea Stadium that could prolong the ballpark’s life 20 years, the Daily News reported Tuesday.

Citing details from an internal city engineering report, the newspaper said that Shea’s steel-and-concrete construction is “generally in good condition.” But the engineering report targeted 16 areas requiring “immediate corrective action” because of potential “life safety” issues, from buckling asphalt to cracked or broken exterior bricks.

“Now that we don’t anticipate a deal on a new stadium in the near future, it’s time to address many of the issues ... in the engineering report,” Met senior Vice President Dave Howard told the paper.

He said Shea is “not in the condition we would like to see it in,” and added the team feels “there are issues that perhaps were put off while we were discussing a new facility, but we feel now is the time to address many of these issues.”

The report, completed in March, cited an additional 17 projects as essential to bringing the stadium into a “a state of good repair.” These included patching concrete to reviewing the fire alarm system to replacing the center-field bleachers.

More than a dozen other repairs, including replacing handrails and joints in the field seats--were listed as “nearing end of life cycle,” the paper said.

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Minnesota ace Brad Radke was put on the disabled list, one day after pulling his right groin against Kansas City.... Outfielder Manny Ramirez was put on the disabled list by Boston because of a broken left index finger. He is expected to be out at least four weeks.... Detroit activated first baseman Dmitri Young, sidelined since April 18 because of a hernia, from the disabled list.

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All-time hits leader Pete Rose has a new backer in his bid to reach the Hall of Fame.

Advertisements in magazines and on billboards featuring Rose and saying, “Why Isn’t Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame?” will soon appear and run for three months, said David Schulte, president of athletic shoe company Pony.

“It’s nice for me to know that someone’s in my corner,” Rose said.