NEW YORK - For Art Howe, being second or maybe third choice as the new manager of the New York Mets is really no problem. He's used to his role as a consolation prize.

Howe, introduced formally Monday as the Mets' pick to succeed Bobby Valentine, knew the team really wanted Lou Piniella or maybe Dusty Baker for this job instead of him.

"I'm glad it didn't work out," he said. "If it did, I might not be here. I might not be the first choice, but I'm the right choice."

The Mets never got a chance to talk with Piniella and were never sure Baker would be interested. So they turned to Howe, who was released from the final year of his contract in Oakland and signed a four-year deal worth $9.4 million.

"I've been second choice everywhere I've gone," Howe said. "Buck Showalter was the first choice in Oakland but he went to Arizona and I got that job. Joe Morgan turned down the opportunity in Houston before I got that job."

Howe managed the Astros for five years beginning in 1989 and then went to the Athletics in 1996. In 12 seasons as a major league manager, he has a record of 992-951.

It was with Oakland that Howe enjoyed his greatest success, managing the team to 383 victories the last four seasons, matching Joe Torre's total with the New York Yankees. There were AL West division titles in 2000 and 2002 and a record 20-game winning streak this season, part of a second straight 100-win year for the Athletics.

So how come Oakland general manager Billy Beane parted with Howe so willingly?

"Billy Beane didn't chase me out of town," Howe said. "He knew it might be difficult after this coming year to get me to stay. He might not be able to afford me. Maybe if he had opened the door for everybody to talk to me I might agree they were running me out of town."

For their part, the Mets were happy he ran to New York.

The opportunity developed quite suddenly for Howe when the Mets were blocked by Seattle from talking with Piniella, who allowed only Tampa Bay to negotiate with him. Oakland pulled back briefly, then made Howe available again last week. It was then that the deal was completed.

Howe fills the requirements owner Fred Wilpon laid out when he fired Valentine after the Mets finished in last place despite a $95 million payroll.

"Fred set out two criteria," general manager Steve Phillips said. "He wanted someone with experience managing at the major league level with a track record of success.

"I'm very enthusiastic about Art Howe. Clearly, he meets the criteria Fred articulated."

From Howe's standpoint, he's anxious for the opportunity to turn around a Mets team that was disappointing on all fronts last season.

"It's a tremendous challenge," he said. "I've met them before. I'm a genuine guy, a blue collar guy. What you see is what you get."

Ironically, Piniella and Howe share the same agent, Alan Nero, who also represents Ken Macha, the Oakland bench coach in line to become the Athletics next manager.

Howe explained that relationship.

"At the beginning of the year, I was kicking around changing agents," he said. "There was a long rain delay in a game against Seattle at Oakland. Lou and I were on the field and I mentioned my plan to him. He recommended Alan Nero."

Howe hired Nero and then recommended the agent to Macha later in the season.

So where was Nero on Monday?

"In Tampa," Howe said. "Second best. I told you. He knows his priorities."