CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – It was supposed to be a happy time for Jim Burt, Jr. Recently married and on his honeymoon in January, the Met farmhand was going to begin his third professional season.

But something happened at Port St. Lucie. The 25 year-old was released.

“I knew it was coming,” Burt said. “It was tough for me to get an opportunity in that organization because they have so many players. I knew it was a possibility, so no hard feelings.”

Because Burt wanted to continue with his career and after looking around for a week, the son of former Giants Pro-Bowler Jim Burt, Sr. inked a deal with the Somerset Patriots to stay close to home and keep his options open.

Unfortunately though, Burt struggled, since the league is the equivalent of AA baseball and the former University of Miami standout only reached low level A last year with the Hagerstown Suns. Currently, he is hitting .216 in 97 at bats with one home run and eight RBI. Due to his lack of a stick he often rides the bench, but Burt doesn’t think he’s overmatched.

“I was just in a little slump and now I am out of it,” Burt said. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before, but the pitching is great.”

With so many former major league players in the Atlantic League, the 2004 draft choice can learn and improve. He said the competition is fantastic, which may raise his game.

But the Saddle River, NJ native does have one advantage playing in a Northeastern league - he gets to see his bride regularly.

“That’s a big plus,” he smiled. “I can see my wife and I can stay home a lot of the time.”

And right now, that’s any newlywed’s number one concern.

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