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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Wilpon gets critical

Jose Reyes isn’t worth all the money he wants. Carlos Beltran is no longer a top-tier player. David Wright isn’t a superstar.

Those aren’t merely the opinions of some disgruntled New York Mets fan. Those thoughts come straight from the owner of the team.

Fred Wilpon had sharp words for the All-Stars and his teetering team in a newly released profile in “The New Yorker.” He made the comments during the Mets’ 4-3 loss to Houston on April 20.

“Lousy clubs, that’s what happens,” Wilpon remarked after the Mets missed an early chance to score, then gave up some runs. “We’re snake-bitten, baby.”

Reyes can become a free agent at the end of the season. There’s been speculation the shortstop wants a contract similar to the $142 million, seven-year deal that Carl Crawford signed in the offseason.

“He’s a racehorse,” Wilpon said of the often-injured speedster.

“He thinks he’s going to get Carl Crawford money,” he said. “He’s had everything wrong with him. He won’t get it.”

Beltran is finishing up a $119 million, seven-year contract the outfielder signed with the Mets after his monster 2004 postseason for Houston, when he hit eight homers and scored 21 runs in 12 playoff games.

“We had some schmuck in New York who paid him based on that one series,” Wilpon said, referring to himself. “He’s 65 to 70 percent of what he was.”

As for Wright, Wilpon said the third baseman is “a really good kid. A very good player.”

“Not a superstar,” Wilpon said.

The Mets are 22-24 and were off Monday. They start a series tonight against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

In a statement, the team said: “We are handling the matter internally.”

Pierzynski gets face time with Bush

White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski reached into the stands in Arlington, Texas, to try to catch a foul ball – and found himself face-to-face with former President George W. Bush.

Pierzynski was going for a foul pop near the Texas Rangers dugout in the sixth inning. The ball dropped into the owner’s box where Bush and his wife, Laura, sat with team president Nolan Ryan and his wife, Ruth.

Hamilton, Cruz return to Rangers

A.L. MVP Josh Hamilton and slugger Nelson Cruz were activated from the disabled list and in the Texas Rangers’ lineup together for the first time since April 12, since Hamilton broke a bone in his upper right arm trying to score with a headfirst slide.

Hamilton and Cruz wasted no time getting back into the swing of things as both hit home runs in their return, a 4-0 win over Chicago.

Clearing the bases

Five-time All-Star second baseman Chase Utley was back in the lineup and hitting second for the Philadelphia Phillies after missing the first 46 games with a knee injury. … Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has thrown off a bullpen mound in Milwaukee as part of his recovery from Tommy John surgery. … Washington first baseman Adam LaRoche is headed to the 15-day disabled list because of a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Michael Morse was in to replace LaRoche. … The Cincinnati Reds have optioned former All-Star right-hander Edinson Volquez to Triple-A Louisville along with right-hander Jordan Smith.Utilityman Todd Frazier and lefty Matt Maloney were called up to fill the roster spots.