Mets Give Valentine New Contract

Bobby Valentine intends to finish the job he started with the New York Mets.

Valentine, who has brought the Mets back to respectability and into the playoff hunt in his first season with the club, was rewarded Wednesday with a new three-year contract believed to be worth $2 million.

With Valentine, who replaced Dallas Green as manager a year ago Tuesday, the Mets have enjoyed a surprising turnaround. They were 71-61 after beating San Francisco, 15-6, on Wednesday, compared to a 59-73 mark on the same date in 1996.

“It was [center fielder] Brian McRae’s [30th] birthday,” Valentine said, “and I thought I was the recipient of some great gifts today.”

Steve Phillips, who replaced Joe McIlvaine as the club’s general manager earlier this season, said the decision to offer Valentine, 47, a new contract was an easy one.

“Our goal is to build a championship team,” Phillips said. “It’s obvious to everyone that under Bobby’s leadership this year our team has made great strides in that direction.”

Valentine, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the season, said he has not signed the new deal but that an agreement had been reached.

“As some of my players just said to me outside near the batting cage, we’ve got a good thing going and let’s keep it going,” Valentine said. “I think experience is a great teacher and this year has been a great experience for me and the team.”

Valentine managed the Texas Rangers from 1985-92. The Mets hired Valentine to manage their triple-A Norfolk, Va., team in 1994. He was managing Norfolk in 1996 when he replaced Green.