"This is the year the Mets promote the bright lights of their past, because their present is so bleak. They announced yesterday that reliever John Franco is the newest member of the Mets Hall of Fame.

When Franco was asked by The Post if he had any words of advice for the weary fans, he said he has faith that the Wilpon family will get the Mets going in the right direction ... someday.

"I can tell you this; Fred Wilpon and Jeff Wilpon will do everything in their power to get this organization back to where it needs to be,'' Franco said. "Just be patient. We have some good players at the major league level and we have a lot of good players coming up in the minor league level. Knowing Fred the way I know Fred, he will do everything in his power to bring back a winning team here at Citi Field.''"