Many Mets avoid Redbirds' celebration of World Series title prior to game

ST. LOUIS -- Mets manager Willie Randolph said he wouldn't force his players to watch the Cardinals commemorate their 2006 World Series title with a pregame ceremony before this year's season opener. Many of them accepted his offer.

During the nearly hourlong presentation hosted by actor Billy Bob Thornton on Sunday night, many Mets players paid more attention to stretching, outfield sprints and conversations with each other than the festivities on the field.

"I'm just not going to go out of my way to watch it," Carlos Delgado said. "If I happen to be out there stretching I would, but if I don't have to be out there, I doubt it. It's not out of spite or anything."

The 2006 title was the first for the Cardinals since defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in 1982 and came after they defeated the Mets in seven games in the NL championship series. Players from previous World Series championship teams in 1967 and 1982 also were introduced.

Randolph said he planned to watch the entire presentation, if only because it showed respect for the Cardinals' accomplishment.

"Why not? It's nice," he said. "That would be assuming again, that I'm somewhat upset that they're world champions. They deserve to be where they are. I'll watch it.

"There's going to be some of those Cardinal greats out there."

David Wright agreed, saying that the six months since losing the NLCS helped ease any pain.

"Hopefully, we have that in the back of our minds and that gives us that extra motivation," Wright said.

-- AP