Jose Reyes freely admitted Friday that he confronted the former Met and SNY analyst Keith Hernandez as the team boarded their charter flight to St. Louis. But Reyes, who was fed up with Hernandez's criticism during Sunday's broadcast, denied that the two ever came close to blows, and his claim was backed up by a number of eyewitnesses.

Hernandez already was seated on the plane as Reyes approached and that's when the shortstop chose to vent his frustration face-to-face. Voices were raised, but many of the Mets had no idea it had even happened.

Reyes, however, did not regret taking action as he spoke Friday to reporters. Munching on a popsicle in front of his locker, he made himself available as soon as the clubhouse door opened, and didn't hesitate to provide a few details of the conversation.

"I said, 'You know, whatever you say, that's what people are going to think about me, people watching the game at home,'" Reyes recalled telling Hernandez. When asked what set him off, the shortstop took exception to Hernandez's comments that Reyes said referred to him as a "little kid, a little baby" after he slammed his glove to the ground during Sunday's game against the Yankees.

"I was mad that day . . . just for that day," Reyes said. "After that, everything was over. I feel like I had to say something to him after that."

A transcript of Hernandez's television remarks that day, however, indicate Reyes may have misinterpreted what he actually said. In talking with partner Gary Cohen, Hernandez said after the glove incident: "Well, he's got to get over that. Enough babying going on now. He's a grown man, he's been around a long enough time. Take off the kid gloves." He also ripped Reyes for not running off the field at the end of the inning.

Reyes, obviously, wasn't watching TV at the time, so he was told by friends and family members. Either way, he felt the need to take up the matter with Hernandez.

"I tried to explain to him why I got mad in that situation," Reyes said. "I don't know if he understands or not. He just told me he's doing his job."

Hernandez declined to elaborate on his discussion with Reyes, or respond to the shortstop's comments. But he was unapologetic and gave no indication his future treatment of Reyes would be tempered by their airplane chat.

"Yes we did have a conversation and as far as I'm concerned, it's over," Hernandez said. "I've had several conversations with players over my career in the booth. It's just part of the job. He made his point and as far as I'm concerned, it's over. Hopefully, this will be a dead issue and this club can focus on this four-game series."