"If the Met veterans require another reminder they are now part of a very different, post-Omar Minaya era, that last little jolt should come Wednesday when Carlos Delgado reluctantly announces his retirement at age 38.

El Nueva Dia in Puerto Rico was the first to report Tuesday that Delgado finally will give up his two-year quest to return to the majors, 27 homers short of the 500 milestone that affords players serious Hall of Fame consideration. The report was confirmed Tuesday night by Delgado's agent, David Sloane, before the Mets' game against the Rockies was postponed by rain.

This decision is no great surprise, though it is not one Delgado wanted to make. "If I am healthy, I will find a way," Delgado said just last month. He had hooked on with the Red Sox and played just five games last season with Pawtucket, still harboring hope of a comeback from the most recent surgery on his left hip, and three operations in the past two years.

There were much happier, productive days in New York. Delgado arrived in November 2005, part of a trade with the Marlins, who were in big-salary dump mode. He quickly made good on all the clippings except the ones that portrayed him as an outspoken rebel."