With Tabloids Humming, Lo Duca Hits Away

San Diego Padres' Ben Johnson reacts after striking out to end the game as New York Mets' catcher Paul Lo Duca heads toward the pitchers mound in the ninth inning of baseball action Wednesday Aug. 9, 2006 at New York's Shea Stadium. The Mets won the game 4-3.(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (Frank Franklin Ii - AP)

NEW YORK -- Several years ago, Paul and Sonia Lo Duca stood inside Shea Stadium and watched a storm erupt. Wide-eyed, they saw the enraged wife of another player stomp into the lobby, so hysterical over a divorce case that security had to intervene.

Shrinking into a corner, the Lo Ducas looked at each other, clearly glad they were happier.

Well, things sure have changed.

"Met's teen lover _ Lo Duca's fling," blared the front page of one newspaper.

"Meet The Debts," screamed the back page of another.

Gambling allegations, adultery claims, a former Playboy model wife and misspelled e-mails from a 19-year-old woman, a perfect tabloid recipe to rip open the All-Star catcher's personal life during his first season in New York.

Lo Duca hit a home run Friday night in the Mets' 2-1 loss at Washington. After the game, a reporter started a question by saying, "It's certainly been a trying week for you," and Lo Doca cut him off.

"Stay away from that. Stay away from that, OK? Stay away from that. Enough," Lo Doca said.

Earlier in the day, the Mets felt compelled to issue a statement.

"We have talked to Major League Baseball and they have expressed no concern of any violation of any Major League Baseball rule regarding Paul Lo Duca," the team said. "Right now, we urge Paul to focus on baseball and we support him through this difficult period in his life."

Baseball spoke to Lo Duca last year after it became aware of his betting habits on horse racing, particularly after some suspicious characters came looking for him at the ballpark because of gambling debts.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya talked to Lo Duca this week and was satisfied with the answers, assured there were no betting on games. But baseball is still monitoring the situation.