04/25 — I was really pleased earlier this week to announce that Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Maynard would be in attendance for Jets Night at Shea on Monday night. So I'm disappointed to have to report that Maynard had to withdraw from the bash the Mets are throwing in honor of the 20 seasons the Jets spent in Queens.

But No. 32 pinch-hitting for No. 13 isn't a bad managerial move.

Running back Emerson Boozer, one of the stars of the Green & White's march to Super Bowl III in 1968, will join Joe Klecko, Wesley Walker, Greg Buttle, Randy Beverly and John Schmitt as the honored Jets in the ceremonies before the Mets take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Klecko, we hear, will be involved in throwing out the first pitch, and historical footage of the Jets' and Mets' time on the Shea pitch will be shown on the big screens throughout the evening.

Current players Leon Washington and Nick Mangold are also scheduled to appear.

Schroy's Going to the Hall

Kenny Schroy also spent virtually his entire pro career calling Shea his home office, but the eight-year Jets safety won't be able to participate in Monday's festivities due to a prior engagment.

He's being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

No, not Canton. Patchogue.

That's the Long Island town that houses the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame, which is inducting Schroy in its class of '08 Monday night.

"I was totally surprised I was nominated, and the fact that I made it is pretty cool, actually," Schroy told me. "At my age now, any recognition is a wonderful thing."

I won't divulge Ken's age, but suffice it to say I covered him in 1980 so we each have something on the other guy.

Schroy, who grew up in Quakertown, Pa., and played his college ball at Maryland, figures his selection, besides being based on his Jets career, is also tied to his post-football activities. He's vice president of the Marty Lyons Foundation, helping his old Jets roommate grant the wishes of children diagnosed with terminal or life-threatening illnesses.

"I also work in Suffolk County, in Bohemia, for American Recreational Products," Schroy said. "What I do is design and install playgrounds. I love doing it. It's fun. I love working with children."

And after playing this alleged "kids' game" of football at a professional level for so long, Schroy is about to be honored for his life-long contributions.