NEW YORK -- Rey Ordonez backed off comments calling New York Mets fans stupid, blaming the frustration of a last-place season on his outburst.

In an interview published in Saturday's New York Post, the Mets shortstop said the treatment from the fans would lead him to want to leave the team when his contract runs out after next season.

"The fans here are too stupid,'' he told the paper. "You have to play perfect every game. You can't make an error. You can't go 0-for-4. Are we like machines?''

Ordonez explained his comments before Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves.

"I said that because it's been a long year,'' he said. "It's been frustrating for everybody.

"It's not like every fan is stupid. It's just some of them. I'm not upset about the booing. I'm upset when it gets personal. They say things about me right near my family at the stadium.''

Manager Bobby Valentine said there was no excuse for criticizing the fans, pointing to the hundreds who were gathered behind the dugout looking for autographs before the game.

"There's absolutely no reason to take any of the frustration out on the fans,'' Valentine said.

Mets general manager Steve Phillips pulled Ordonez aside before the player addressed the media. Phillips said he wouldn't look to trade Ordonez solely because of the comments but didn't rule it out as being a factor in any decision this offseason.

"Most players understand that boos come with the territory. Boos are the fans' way of communicating,'' Phillips said. "The way we've played this year we deserve it.

"The fans have been waiting to cheer all year. We haven't given them a reason to do it.''

Ordonez has spent his entire seven-year major league career with the Mets, earning three Gold Gloves and winning fans over with his breathtaking defense.

But they have soured on him recently, as his usual offensive struggles have been joined by inconsistent fielding.

Ordonez, who once played 101 consecutive errorless games at shortstop, has committed 19 this year -- his most since his rookie year in 1996.

He is batting just .254 with one homer and 42 RBI this season and has been one of the fans' biggest targets, along with outfielder Jeromy Burnitz.

A preseason favorite to contend in the NL East, the Mets instead finished last for the first time since 1993.

"This is a good city to play baseball in when you win,'' he said. "When you lose like this year, it's tough.''

Ordonez's $19 million, four-year contract expires after the 2003 season, and the Mets are grooming Jose Reyes -- considered by some the top minor league prospect in baseball -- as his replacement. Phillips said the 19-year-old Reyes probably would start next season at Triple-A.

"I don't know if I'm going to play here next year,'' Ordonez said. "When I'm a free agent, maybe I'll look around.''