A great beginning to the road trip, well almost… The dark cloud hanging over the Mets win in the wake of a fine 7 to 2 comeback win is the condition of Carlos Beltran’s hamstring. Fear not, for I have an idea. That’s what I’m here for.

Here’s what I would do if Beltran’s MRI comes back and suggests that Carlos needs a good couple of weeks if not a month to heal this thing. Listening to Keith Hernandez during the broadcast last night, this surely could be the case. Let’s face it, Endy Chevez had a nice game after he took over in center last evening but I don’t want to see him in there day after day for a month. If only there was someone in the organization who could step up while Carlos heals. If there was just some, say young player with great potential who happened to have center field experience even though he would eventually have to play left field here. If there was just one player who may have shown that during spring training was close to Major League ready and who is tearing up triple A right now. Hmm…hey, what about Lastings Milledge?

That’s right, Lastings Milledge. Through last night’s games for Norfolk, Milledge is hitting .400 for a team with the opposite record (4-11) of its parent club. In 50 at bats, Lastings has scored 11 runs, has 6 doubles and 4 RBI. In addition, he has stolen 4 bases and has scored 11 runs. His on base percentage is .530 with a slugging percentage of .630! Milledge is currently playing right field for the Tides. That is of course because Carlos Beltran owns the center field real estate in Shea Stadium then Jackie Robinson Stadium (wishful thinking) for the next six years. But the kid came up as a center fielder, it’s his natural position. I say give him a shot. He couldn’t be any worse than Endy Chevez. And good money says he’ll be better, a lot better.

The nay-sayers will insist that he needs more time at triple A, or that he’ll have to go down when Carlos Beltran is healthy and that may be hard for him to take. Poppycock I say! Just sit the kid down and tell him, “Look, it’s time to get your feet wet at the Major League level. “We need you to fill in and man center until Beltran is healthy. “When Carlos comes back you will be going back to Norfolk to get in your at bats”. And who knows, by then maybe there is another injury or Floyd or Nady are mired in horrendous slumps. Baseball is a funny game. Milledge will know at the outset that he does not have to be a savior and that his role is temporary. I don’t see what issue would be. This kid is ready, give him a shot. Let him keep center warm until Beltran is completely healthy.