MET NOTES
When the 1986 world champion Mets gather at Shea Stadium on Aug. 19, they won’t be reminiscing about their heady times with Darryl Strawberry, The Post has learned.
According to team sources, Strawberry won’t be on hand to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mets’ second World Series championship.
Strawberry, arguably the best position player in the club’s history and the catalyst for the 1986 team, hasn’t given the team a reason for his decision to stay away from the festivities.
The slugging right fielder, who led the Mets on the field and was a big part of the 1986 “Wild Boys” image off the diamond, wasn’t available for comment.
At Yankee Stadium in late June, Strawberry said he will always be remembered as a Met, even though he helped the Yankees win three World Series in the late ’90s.
Strawberry, the Mets’ all-time leader in homers (252) and RBIs (733), played for the Mets from 1983-90. He recently remarried and is living in Missouri.
Strawberry won’t be the only high-profile name missing from the celebration. Staff ace Dwight Gooden is serving time in a Florida prison for parole violation.
Manager Davey Johnson has a previous commitment, as does 1986 World Series MVP Ray Knight and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre. Lee Mazzilli and Roger McDowell are coaches with the Yankees and Braves and unable to attend.
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Royce Ring, who earned a Triple-A All-Star berth earlier this year, was in the Mets’ bullpen last night, having been called up to replace Mike Pelfrey.
The left-hander posted a 2.97 ERA for Norfolk and earlier this season tossed 262/3 consecutive innings without giving up a run.
“He’s having a nice year so far and I think he can help us,” Willie Randolph said.
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Lastings Milledge didn’t get the start last night, as Endy Chavez was playing right field against righty Ricky Nolasco.
Randolph said Milledge’s left hand, which was bloodied when he was spiked on Tuesday night, wasn’t the reason why.
“He’s OK to play,” Randolph said. “I said [Tuesday] to everyone, I’m going to just pick my spots where I think it’s right for the day, and that’s how I’m going to use him.”
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Oliver Perez threw a bullpen session yesterday at Dolphin Stadium, witnessed by Randolph. “[It’s] nice to have a young lefthander that has some experience, and with his youth has some upside,” Randolph said. “So hopefully, that’ll be a nice pickup for us.” Perez, 24, is joining Norfolk today.