New York Mets interim manager Jerry Manuel referred to the team's fans as "fertilizer" for their booing of reliever Aaron Heilman, The New York Post reported Monday.

"It's very, very fertile ground for growth in Shea Stadium," Manuel said prior to the team's win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. "It's fertile ground for a team's growth and development. Sometimes, fertile ground has fertilizer.

But Manuel added, "Fertilizer is a good thing. It's a good thing. You get the greatest results - get the most beautiful plants — when you put it in that type of fertile soil. That's what we have the opportunity to do."

Heilman is 0-3 with a 5.17 ERA this season.

Manuel also said says left fielder Moises Alou might not return to the team this season and could decide to retire, the Post said.

Alou went on the DL for the third time this season June 13 after aggravating a strained calf.
Manuel says he must plan for the rest of the season keeping in mind the possibility that Alou may not return. "I can't plan that (Alou's) bat will be back in that fifth or sixth spot or fourth spot or wherever you put him," Manuel told the Post.

Manuel also says that a very brief return in June before re-injuring his calf, plus the fatigue of rehabbing future injuries, could lead Alou to retire.

"I think he's determined to get back this season," Manuel told the newspaper. "I do believe that if this happens in the fashion that it happened before, I think he'll have some serious problems, and he'll head to the house."

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Mauer vs. Bronx bullies for AL MVP   CTB: Did A-Rod throw cousin under financial bus?   CTB: Red Sox willing to throw money into Lowell deal DeMarco: Red Sox should take measured approach CTB: Handicapping the Halladay chase Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay CTB: Should the Yankees get younger? CTB: Mets may play some games in Puerto Rico CTB: White Sox offer Vizquel $1 million CTB: A prediction — Lackey will sign with Yankees Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: