MLB TEAM NEWS: METS DRESS CODE HAS VARIOUS MIX-AND-MATCH

          METS: NEWSDAY's Mark Herrman examines the Mets'
     multiple variation of uniform looks this year.  The new
     concepts are "a marketing strategy, which involves a
     delicate balance between trying to sell more merchandise ...
     and maintaining the identity that a uniform delivers." 
     Basic "parameters" for the uniforms are set by team
     marketing execs, but the day-to-day decision on what exactly
     to wear "falls to" Mets Equipment Manager Charlie Samuels.
     Mets co-Owner Fred Wilpon: "This is only the second year
     we've done this, but I think we have a nice balance, and I
     don't think we've lost the identity."  Mets CF Brian McRae:
     "It's a pain in the butt.  I'd like to come in here and
     think about the other team, not about which uniform we're
     going to wear" (NEWSDAY, 4/20). 
          PADRES GATE: The Padres sold a franchise record 156,852
     tickets to their three-game series at Qualcomm Stadium
     against the Dodgers last weekend (UNION-TRIBUNE, 4/19).