Don’t Worry, Mike, They’re Crazy About You

It’s turning into a typical New York welcome for Mike Piazza, who was greeted like Lindbergh returning from Paris when the Mets acquired him, but is hearing about it as he and the team he’s supposed to be carrying struggle.

Fans booed loudly Tuesday when he tapped out to the mound with two men on in a 4-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

“I can’t complain,� Piazza said. “They do it to everybody. If you do the job, they cheer. If you don’t, they boo. . . . I’m disappointed in myself as much as anybody.�

Wrote the New York Post’s Joel Sherman: “Piazza has been mainly an empty batting average since arriving May 23. . . . He is hitting .342, but has just 15 RBIs and is batting .216 with men in scoring position.

“The Mets were 24-20 in 44 games before his arrival, 22-22 in 44 games with him. “

Doesn’t sound like $100 million worth, so far, does it?

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Trivia time: In 1973, the fifth year of divisional play, only one National League East team finished above .500. Which team?

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The exile: When is a Rose not a Rose? When his first name is Pete and you’re talking about the Hall of Fame.

Still barred from baseball and any consideration for Cooperstown, Rose is considering petitioning Commissioner Bud Selig for a new hearing, hoping Selig’s full-time appointment gives him some room to show mercy.

Former teammate Joe Morgan says Rose should be reinstated if he’s willing to “come clean,� but Johnny Bench has said he’s convinced Rose bet on baseball and shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame. Rose continues to deny it.

Selig told the Cincinnati Enquirer he is dubious because “I haven’t seen any new evidence.�

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There you go again: Allen Iverson, the endorser Reebok decided to keep when it parted ways with Shaquille O’Neal, is back in trouble, or at least his car is.

Two friends, Andre Steele and Michael Powell, who borrowed Iverson’s Mercedes-Benz, were arrested on drug charges. In Virginia, a car used in a drug-related crime can be confiscated and the state has filed papers, asking to take possession of Iverson’s $138,000 ride.

Reebok is in the midst of a four-segment TV campaign involving Iverson around the theme of individuality vs. conformity.

“Allen represents individuality and creativity,� company spokesman Dave Fogelson told the Philadelphia Daily News’ Phil Jasner. Might be time to try a little conformity.

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Even ex-Blues get the blues: Former St. Louis star Brett Hull, now a Dallas Star, was let go in an economy move and his old fans are taking it hard.

Hull took part in a recent charity golf tournament in St. Louis. Said Brett before teeing off with his father, Bobby: “If we win any money, maybe we should donate it to the Blues.�

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Trivia answer: The Mets, who went 82-79.

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And finally: Stu Jackson, general manager of the Vancouver Grizzlies, on Clipper draft pick Michael Olowokandi: “How many that run a 4.5 in the 40, that have a 7-8 wingspan, are 7 feet and bench 350, fail? If you went back through the history of the draft, very few.�