Happy to be healthy, Niese shines in intrasquad scrimmage

PORT ST. LUCIE — Jon Niese barely survived last year's intrasquad scrimmage, but that wasn't a problem on Tuesday.

The Mets lefty fired two shutout innings at Tradition Field on Tuesday and later marveled at what a difference a year makes. In 2014, Niese underwent two MRI exams on his left arm in spring training.

"My intrasquad last year, I don't think I threw over 80 mph," Niese said. "My shoulder and elbow felt great and my body feels good."

The game lasted eight innings and ended in a scoreless tie. Zack Wheeler went 1²/₃ innings as the starting pitcher for the "Blue" team. Left-hander Sean Gilmartin struck out four batters in two innings and Rafael Montero also was sharp with two scoreless innings.

But for manager Terry Collins, the best sign was seeing a healthy Niese this early in the spring.

"His arm angle is much better, more velocity with his arm speed," Collins said. "He spent all winter making sure he was healthy because he doesn't want to go through those shoulder issues, and it has really paid off."

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Former player Billy Bean made an appearance at camp in his new role as MLB's ambassador for inclusion. Bean, who is gay, said his early retirement from the game was tied to never feeling fully accepted by teammates.

Bean is touring various camps this spring and wore a Mets uniform on Tuesday, participating in workouts.

"I disagree with his lifestyle," Daniel Murphy told NJ.com. "I do disagree with the fact he is homosexual. That doesn't mean I can't still invest in him and get to know him. I don't think the fact someone is homosexual should completely shut the door on investing in them in a relational aspect.

"Maybe as a Christian … we haven't been articulate enough in describing what our actual stance is on homosexuality. We love the people. We disagree with the lifestyle."

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Intruder found in Jetblue cockpit detained at JFK

A disturbed man was detained at JFK Airport after he sneaked into the cockpit of a JetBlue plane early Tuesday, sources said.

An airline employee discovered Jarrett Stroud, of Atlantic City, NJ, sitting by the window in the cockpit shortly after the jet arrived from the Dominican Republic at 1:43 a.m., according to Port
Authority Police sources.

The jet was inspected and Stroud was taken to Jamaica Hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

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Cinderella NY-area teams starting NCAA Tournament chase

Conference tournaments begin this week, marking the most exciting and unjust time of the year.

While favorites enter knowing that four months of success can be erased in a few hours, teams with no reason to believe will see their NCAA Tournament dreams revived.

Here's a look at the non-Big East teams in the New York City area hoping to reach the Big Dance:

St. Francis Brooklyn (21-10, 15-3 NEC)

RPI: 165

Regular-season recap: The Northeast Conference favorites bounced back from an 0-5 start to claim the regular-season title for the first time in 11 years.
Best win: 72-64 vs. Columbia (Dec. 30)

Player to watch: Senior forward Jalen Cannon became the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder this season, averaging a career-high 16.5 points and 10.2 rebounds.

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: Never

Tournament Odds: 5/2

St. Francis Brooklyn can win it if: The pressure isn't too much. One of only five teams in Division I since 1948 never to have made the NCAA Tournament, the Terriers have received an incredible amount of media attention and are the heavy favorites to win, playing every NEC Tournament game at home.

Up next: The top-seeded Terriers host rival LIU Brooklyn in the NEC Tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday (7 p.m.).

Iona (24-7, 17-3 MAAC)

RPI: 53

Regular-season recap: The Gaels won their third regular-season championship in four years, featuring the seventh-highest scoring offense in the nation.

Best win: 85-81 at Wake Forest (Nov. 21)

Player to watch: Ultra-versatile senior forward David Laury is the lone legitimate paint presence on a team full of phenomenal shooters, averaging 20.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2013

Tournament Odds: 3/1

Iona can win it if: The regular season is relevant. The Gaels dominated the league again, but have failed to win the conference tournament in their past two attempts as a No. 1 seed (2012, 2014).

Up next: Top-seeded Iona plays the winner of No. 8 Siena/No. 9 Niagara in the MAAC Tournament quarterfinals on Saturday (noon) in Albany.

Manhattan (16-13, 13-7 MAAC)

RPI: 188

Regular-season recap: The defending champions lost their top three scorers and seven of their first nine games, but closed strong, winning eight of their past 11.

Best win: 87-76 at Monmouth (Feb. 1)

Player to watch: Senior Emmy Andujar leads the Jaspers in nearly every category, averaging 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.1 steals, while shooting better than 50 percent from the field.

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2014

Manhattan's Emmy AndujarPhoto: Andrew Theodorakis

Tournament Odds: 6/1

Manhattan can win it if: Experience matters. Steve Masiello's squad — which nearly upset Louisville in the NCAA Tournament last season — has appeared in the past two MAAC Championship games.

Up next: Third-seeded Manhattan plays the winner of No. 6 Quinnipiac/No. 11 Marist in the MAAC Tournament quarterfinals on Saturday (8 p.m.) in Albany.

Stony Brook (21-10, 12-4 America East)

RPI: 108

Regular-season recap: The Seawolves surpassed 20 wins for the fifth time in six years, entering the America East Tournament on a six-game winning streak.
Best win: 62-57 at then-No. 13 Washington (Dec. 28)

Player to watch: Junior center Jameel Warney won his second straight America East Conference Player of the Year award, averaging 16.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks.

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: Never

Tournament Odds: 7/1

Stony Brook can win it if: Home is still no advantage. Losing two of the past three conference title games on their campus, the Seawolves likely will travel for a potential semifinal and title game, with a new tournament format giving home games to higher seeds.

Up next: Third-seeded Stony Brook hosts sixth-seeded Binghamton in the America East Tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday (7 p.m.).

Hofstra (19-12, 10-8 CAA)

RPI: 183

Regular-season recap: With a fast-paced offense and an influx of talented transfers, the Pride nearly doubled the previous season's win total, posting their best record in four years.

Best win: 66-65 vs. Stony Brook (Nov. 21)

Hofstra's Juan'ya GreenPhoto: AP

Player to watch: In his first season on Long Island, Niagara transfer Juan'ya Green ranks ninth in the nation with 6.5 assists, while also leading the Pride with 17 points per game.

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2001

Tournament Odds: 10/1

Hofstra can win it if: The best are beatable. The Pride went 1-7 in games against the conference's top four teams.

Up next: Fifth-seeded Hofstra plays fourth-seeded James Madison in the CAA Tournament quarterfinals on Saturday (2:30 p.m.) in Baltimore.

St. Peter's (14-17, 8-12 MAAC)

RPI: 245

Regular-season recap: The Peacocks had unusually high expectations after returning four starters, but continued offensive struggles led to an up-and-down season.

Best win: 68-60 vs. Iona (March 1)

Player to watch: Former Fordham reserve Marvin Dominique has blossomed across state lines, averaging 14.1 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2011

Tournament Odds: 40/1

St. Peter's can win it if: (Insert annual St. Peter performing a miracle joke here).

Up next: Seventh-seeded St. Peter's will play 10th-seeded Fairfield in the first round of the MAAC Tournament on Thursday (7 p.m.) in Albany.

LIU Brooklyn (12-17, 8-10 NEC)

RPI: 259

Regular-season recap: With the core of the three-time NEC champions gone, the Blackbirds exceeded expectations with a young team that showed signs of a better future.

Best win: 73-72 (OT) at New Hampshire (Dec. 22)

Player to watch: Icelandic guard Martin Hermannson has the makings of a future star, having averaged 10.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists as a tremendously poised freshman.

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2013

Tournament Odds: 100/1

LIU Brooklyn can win it if: This is all a dream and it's actually still 2013.

Up next: Eighth-seeded LIU Brooklyn plays at top-seeded St. Francis Brooklyn in the NEC Tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday (7 p.m.).

Wagner (10-19, 8-10 NEC)

RPI: 294

Regular-season recap: After averaging 21 wins over the past three seasons, the Seahawks couldn't overcome losing an accomplished senior class and junior Dwaun Anderson to injury.

Best win: 85-83 (2OT) vs. Mount St. Mary's (Jan. 5)

Player to watch: Senior guard Marcus Burton is the only Seahawk averaging double-digit points, ranking second in the Northeast Conference with 17.5 points.

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2003

Tournament Odds: 100/1

Wagner can win it if: Something new occurs. Wagner hasn't won three straight games this season.

Up next: Seventh-seeded Wagner travels to second-seeded Robert Morris in the NEC Tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday (7 p.m.).

Fordham (9-18, 4-12 Atlantic 10)

RPI: 228

Regular-season recap: Despite improved recruiting under fifth-year coach Tom Pecora, the Rams still finished with their eighth straight losing season.
Best win: 63-48 vs. La Salle (Feb. 25)

Fordham's Eric PaschallPhoto: AP

Player to watch: Former Dobbs Ferry star Eric Paschall has lived up to the hype in his first season, averaging a team-high 16.5 points, along with 5.6 rebounds.

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 1992

Tournament Odds: 1000/1

Fordham can win it if: Other teams cannot control their laughter at the idea of that occurring. The Rams have won one conference tournament game since 2008.

Up next: Wednesday (7 p.m.) vs. Duquesne

Rutgers (10-20, 2-15 Big Ten)

RPI: 157

Regular-season recap: The first season in the Big Ten was as brutal as expected, including a game in which the Scarlet Knights scored 26 points (their lowest in 63 years) and an 11-game losing streak (entering Tuesday).

Best win: 67-62 vs. Wisconsin (Jan. 11)

Player to watch: Senior guard Myles Mack again has been one of the team's few reliable options, averaging 13.8 points, 4.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals.

Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 1991

Tournament Odds: 1000/1

Rutgers can win it if: Teams from New Jersey are the only eligible participants.

Up next: Saturday (2:15 p.m.) at Michigan

Conference Tournament dates

Northeast Conference: March 4, 7, 10 (at higher seeds)

MAAC: March 5, 7-9 (Albany)

America East: March 4, 8, 14 (at higher seeds)

Colonial Athletic Association: March 6-9 (Baltimore)

Big East: March 11-14 (Madison Square Garden)

Big Ten: 11-15 (Chicago)

Atlantic 10: March 11-15 (Barclays Center)

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Becoming a feared hitter again true way for Wright to lead Mets

PORT ST. LUCIE — Leadership shows itself in many ways. On the field and in the clubhouse.

David Wright exerted his leadership Tuesday during an intrasquad game. After he left the game and entered the clubhouse while reporters were talking to pitcher Zack Wheeler in one corner, Wright spotted young pitcher Noah Syndergaard chowing down for lunch.

Syndergaard, who freely admitted on Monday he has a lot to learn, was told by Wright he should not be eating at that time — a clubhouse no-no during games — and instead he should be on the bench.

Wright made his point to Syndergaard, with Bobby Parnell's help, and soon Syndergaard was on the bench where he belonged.

That is true leadership and because the Mets are talking a big game this year — they must be focused on the task at hand. Wright did the right thing.

Now comes the other kind of leadership, the most important leadership, the on-the-field leadership.

Wright is going to have to prove he still is a leader in the batter's box. I'm all for chewing out a young player who was chewing when he should have been cheering, but in the big picture, the Mets desperately need David Wright's bat to speak loudly.

That is test Wright must pass this season after his injury-plagued 2014 when his left shoulder would not allow him to excel.

The pressure is on Wright like never before. He is accepting that pressure — that's leadership, too.

Wright has to come back and hit like David Wright.

That is the leadership the Mets need and it has to start against the Nationals in the first series of the season.

Can Wright, 32, still be that kind of leader?

"I've proven that I have a certain type of track record and I expect to live up to those expectations,'' Wright flatly said. "That's what I expect out of myself.

David WrightPhoto: Anthony J. Causi

"What I enjoy most about this game is that it is a one-on-one confrontation every pitch, every at bat, the chance that you can win that small confrontation.''

That is what fuels Wright. But he has to win more of those confrontations. He knows it.
Wright needs another year like 2010, when he blasted 29 home runs and knocked in 103 runs. The last two years Wright has hit a combined 26 home runs with 121 RBIs.

"I've proved that I can be a run producer,'' Wright said. "I take a great deal of pride in knowing that I have a significant role in the offense and making the offense go. When I play up to my capabilities, we're obviously a better offense, when I don't do that, we're not as good an offense.

"Hitting in the middle of the lineup, the run production for me needs to be there. When it's not there, it makes the offense more difficult, it shortens the lineup. It puts a lot of burden on other guys to pick up the slack and that's when guys start pressing, start doing too much.''

Wright knows better than anyone these Mets will only go as far as his bat takes them. He has more help in the lineup with his good friend Michael Cuddyer and, yes, Curtis Granderson should have a bigger year now that he is reunited with Kevin Long, but the pressure is on Wright to deliver.

"Anger doesn't motivate me, what drives me is success, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,'' Wright said. "I got a small taste of it early in my career, then all of a sudden you start taking some small steps backwards and then a couple of big giant leaps backwards, the desire and the passion is to feel what that is like again where every pitch matters.

"As a competitor that's what you dream about. There's nothing worse than coming into the clubhouse in September when the traveling secretary comes up to you and asks, what day do you want to leave to go home? That sucks.''

In order for that not to happen yet again, David Wright must again lead in the batter's box. Captain America has a lot on his plate.

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Schneiderman probed for allegedly tapping Trumps for cash

The state ethics watchdog has launched a probe into whether state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman illegally solicited campaign contributions from Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka, and her husband while investigating The Donald's for-profit school, The Post has learned.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics issued subpoenas to Ivanka and other execs at the Trump Organization who also may have been hit up for cash.

JCOPE is trying to determine if Schneiderman violated the Public Officers Law by "barraging" them with fund-raising solicitations — while also suggesting he would back off his own fraud investigation into Florida-based Trump University.

The inquiry, sources familiar with the probe said, is also looking into the role of lawyer Avi Schick. He was representing the Trump Organization in its response to the AG's probe into Trump U. At the same time, Schick was also helping raise funds for Schneiderman's re-election campaign, sources said.

"We think it's great news that JCOPE has taken our complaint seriously and appears to be conducting an investigation into very serious allegations and breach of public trust that we raised more than a year ago," said Trump Organization VP George Sorial.

JCOPE spokesman John Milgrim declined to comment.

A spokesman for Schneiderman — the state's top law-enforcement officer — also declined to comment.

Schick did not return calls.

In the ethics complaint, filed more than a year ago, Donald Trump claimed Schneiderman pushed Ivanka and her newspaper-publisher husband, Jared Kushner, to host a fund-raising breakfast for him at Jean-Georges, dine with him at Lure Fishbar in Soho, and have drinks with him at The Four Seasons.

"During many of these targeted solicitations, Mr. Schneiderman, on his own initiative, brought up his office's inquiry into [Trump] . . . [and] assured [Ivanka] and others that they should not be concerned since the investigation was 'going nowhere,' " the Trump complaint said.

As it turned out, Schneiderman filed a civil suit against Trump U. in Manhattan Supreme Court, claiming massive consumer fraud. Some of the charges were dismissed and the case is pending.

Schneiderman could theoretically be slapped with ethics violations or a fine if JCOPE concludes he misused his office.

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Cal Ripken Jr. on the imposing transition awaiting Derek Jeter

Cal Ripken, Jr. was at Camden Yards for Opening Day the year after he retired, but he understands why Derek Jeter has already said he won't be in The Bronx on April 6 when the Yankees face the Blue Jays.
Instead, Jeter has said he will be traveling.

"For me, it was good to be there," said Ripken, who retired in 2001. "And it felt like the right thing to do. But Derek is going to have to find his own path in retirement and it's a tough adjustment."

Ripken followed up his 21-year career by purchasing a minor league team, and that's how he got his baseball fix.

"No matter how much you say you're ready to move on — and I have no doubt Derek was ready to move on — you're still not totally prepared for dealing with this time of year," Ripken said. "There's spring training and then Opening Day and that's all you've known, so you're definitely going to have that pull to be around for that, but it's not the same."

While Ripken visits Camden Yards occasionally, he's careful not to intrude too much.

"You don't want it to look like you're just hanging around," Ripken said. "It's their space and it's their time. That's why you need to find your own way and make yourself busy with something else. For me, that first year, it was the minor league team."

Since then, Ripken has also tried writing and he was in New York on Monday to promote his new children's book, "Out At Home."

Jeter has already launched a website and intends to get into the publishing industry.

Regardless of how much Jeter has going on, though, Ripken said the retired shortstop will have moments when he's searching for things to do.

"For your whole life, this is all you've done," Ripken said. "It's going to be a new experience for him and no matter what he does with himself, it's going to be difficult at times."

Ripken added Alex Rodriguez will have his own issues in coming back to play after serving a year-long suspension for his role in the Biogenesis scandal.

"I'm sure he regrets some of the things he's done and I hope he's able to enjoy the game," Ripken said. "Obviously, there will be distractions and he hasn't made it easy on himself, but at this point, you just want him to still be able to play."

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Cops to drivers: Blame City Hall for new speed limits

Even city cops feel bad for blindsiding drivers by enforcing the new 25-mph speed limit with little warning.

The officer who pulled over bridge painter Dino Ioannou for going 29 mph just two weeks after the lower limit took effect said he would have let it slide if the NYPD wasn't under so much pressure from City Hall.

"The cop who pulled me over said he felt bad he had to give me a ticket," said Ioannou, 35, a father of two young children who unsuccessfully fought the $130 ticket Monday at the DMV's Traffic Violations Bureau in Flushing.

"The cop even said, 'I'm so sorry, normally I wouldn't enforce this sort of thing, but the mayor is making us."

The Astoria resident said he was stunned when he heard a siren while going less than 30 mph down the service road of the Grand Central Parkway near 82nd Street on Nov. 20.

When told of the mayor's pledge to ease into enforcement and not bombard drivers with tickets, Ioannou said, "Are you kidding me? Everybody up there is here for [a] speeding ticket.

"They've been pulling everybody over since the day [the law] went into effect," he said. "It's more than an inconvenience. I have two kids. That money could have went toward diapers."

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1st, 2nd, 3rd, OF, catcher: Mets have tabbed their utility guy

PORT ST. LUCIE — Eric Campbell will be all over the field this spring.

After impressing the Mets with his versatility and pinch-hitting ability last season, Campbell has been working out primarily at first base in spring drills. But manager Terry Collins wants the second-year player ready for anything.

"He's going to wear every one of those gloves that is in his bag this spring," Collins said Monday. "He's going to play some third and he's going to play a little bit in the outfield once we make some decisions in the outfield and he will get some time out there."

In addition, Collins said he wants to see Campbell play second base, in case of an emergency situation.

Along those same lines, Campbell has worked behind the plate this spring and could serve as the team's de facto third catcher.

But Collins will not use Campbell behind the plate until late in spring training.

"I don't want Eric to be back there and start to have his legs be heavy or sore and have to try to make this team and he can't do it because his legs are stiff," Collins said.

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Pitching coach Dan Warthen indicated the Mets will make their decision on an Opening Day starter by March 18, when the pitchers will have to be aligned, following a day off in camp.

For now, every Mets starting pitcher except Matt Harvey is a possibility for April 6 in Washington, but Collins is giving strong consideration to Zack Wheeler for the assignment.

Who should get the nod?

"If it were up to me I would give it to [Steven] Matz," one team official said half-jokingly.

The lefty Matz is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, but continues to impress team brass in camp.

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Lucas Duda's first swings in three weeks may come on Wednesday, according to Collins. Duda has battled discomfort in his left rib cage and been limited to fielding drills and tracking pitches over the first several days of workouts.

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The Mets will play an intrasquad scrimmage Tuesday at Tradition Field. Jon Niese and Rafael Montero are among the pitchers scheduled to pitch for Team Blue. Wheeler, Jenrry Mejia and Jeurys Familia are scheduled for Team Orange.

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Speeding tickets skyrocket despite de Blasio’s vow to ease into enforcement

So much for the slow rollout.

Cops have been furiously writing tickets since the city speed limit was dropped from 30 mph to 25 mph last year — with summonses skyrocketing by more than 40 percent in the first three months, according to NYPD data obtained by The Post.

On Nov. 6, a day before the policy was put into place, Mayor de Blasio promised to go easy on the early enforcement of his speed law to let drivers get used to the new limits.

But rather than be granted mercy, drivers felt the heat as speeding summonses increased by nearly 8,700 between November and January — from 20,486 to 29,179 — over the same period a year earlier.

In November alone, summonses doubled to 13,606 compared to the 6,600 handed out during the same month in 2013, according to the stats.

The number of speeding summonses was already on the rise in 2014 before the city lowered the limit following other Vision Zero initiatives and increased enforcement.

But after the speed limit for most city streets was reduced by 5 mph in early November, the increase was steeper, the stats show.

Speeding-ticket fines vary depending on how much over the limit a driver is going.

Sam Levy, the vice president of Sinai Ambulette in Queens, said his fleet of 160 ambulettes has been racking up thousands of dollars in tickets ever since the new speed limit went into effect — even though they barely crack the 30 mph mark.

"It's been a dramatic increase since the speed limit dropped," he said at the DMV's Traffic Violations Bureau center in Jamaica, Queens. "It used to be five tickets was a big week. Now it's about 20 tickets a week. I'm paying roughly $2,000 a week for these slow speeding tickets."

Levy, 32, said he recently showed up to the Rockaway Boulevard facility carrying a pile of tickets going back weeks in the hopes of having the hefty fines reduced, but found no sympathy.

"I came here to explain that it's ruining my business, and they said pay," according to Levy, who called the mayor's promise to ease into enforcement a lie.

"[The rollout] was very fast. I noticed an immediate increase in tickets," he said. "I have to explain to all the customers that we cannot do as many runs per day and we have to travel much slower now. I'm losing customers!"

De Blasio said in November that the new limit was not meant to blindside drivers.

"It will be phased in," de Blasio said the day before the law went into effect. "We will be doing a lot of public education over the coming months. We'll be doing a lot of warnings — obviously, enforcement over time."

Officials also said at the time that cops could use discretion and focus on drivers traveling significantly over the limit.

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Posada’s memoir will hit bookstores in May

Beloved Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has a memoir entitled "The Journey Home" coming out from the HarperCollins imprint Dey Books on May 12.

It will be available in both English- and Spanish-language versions.

"It's very much a father-and-son book," Lisa Sharkey, senior vice president and director of creative development at HarperCollins, said about the new book.

"It's about his own father Jorge Posada Sr. as well as [former Yankees manager] Joe Torre — who he always regarded as second father," said Sharkey.

Posada' s dad, described by Sharkey as "his toughest critic and greatest inspiration," escaped from Communist Cuba and raised his family in Puerto Rico.

And the book extends to Jorge's own two children, Jorge Luis and Paulina.

Said Posada, "When I was a young boy growing up in Puerto Rico, it was my dream to become a New York Yankee and play professional baseball in The Bronx.

"In my book, you will learn how — with the help of my family —that dream became a reality."

Posada, Derek Jeter, Andy Petitie and Mariano Rivera — the Core Four — were homegrown stars who teamed up to win four World Championships in five years in the late 1990s. Torre, Rivera and Jeter all published books after their Yankees years. Petite was the lone holdout, though he did publish a memoir in 2005 while still playing for the Yankees.

Sharkey said it was Posada who insisted that the book be published concurrently in English and Spanish.

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