SAN DIEGO - Rickey Henderson is just starting to settle into the first-base coaching box. But you get the sense the 48-year-old New York Mets' coach would still be in left field if given the opportunity.

"They won't let me come back as a player," Henderson said Tuesday with a laugh. "If I had the opportunity to be playing, I'd be playing. But I came in as a coach … at least I get the opportunity to be around baseball."

Five days ago, Henderson, who played with the Padres from 1996-97 and 2001, assumed coaching duties for the Mets. He had been a part-time coach with the organization for the past two years before accepting the promotion.

And now Henderson, who last played for the San Diego Surf Dawgs in the Golden Baseball League in 2005, is learning to switch mindsets.

"It's totally different," Henderson said. "(As a player) you try to figure out what you've got to do to help your team win, and now you've gotta take the whole ballclub and try and analyze the personnel. Now it's about the teaching side of it. When you're coaching it's all about teaching guys and what can help make them a better ballplayer."

Some of the better memories from Henderson's 25-year career - one that included tours of duty with nine different teams - came in San Diego.

Henderson reached 3,000 hits while with the Padres and broke the all-time runs scored record here too. He also took the all-time lead in base on balls, a record since broken by Barry Bonds.

"I accomplished some great goals in San Diego," Henderson said. "A lot of great memories. But most of all, a lot of great fun times."

Wells knuckles under pressure

Paul Lo Duca's facial expression in sixth inning on Monday night has already reached legendary status for Padres pitcher David Wells. The veteran left-hander caught Lo Duca by surprise when he threw the catcher a knuckleball with two outs in a one-run game and induced an inning-ending pop up.

"It's the first time I'd done it in, like, (11 years)," said Wells, who'd last thrown a knuckleball in an at-bat against Boston's Jose Canseco in 1996. "I've been throwing it and contemplating it, but you'd never think to throw it in a tight game. … The look in LoDuca's eyes was unbelievable. I'll never forget the look ever. He said, 'What the (expletive) did you just do?' And I said, 'My bad, dawg.' "

Greg Maddux said Wells' knuckleball is a solid option. And he saw no problem with him throwing the pitch.

"Why not?" Maddux said. "It's a great changeup. He's got a good one."

But the 43-year-old Wells said he isn't looking to rely on the knuckleball to extend his career - not yet, anyway.

"You never know," Wells said. "As soon as the other stuff fails me then I've got no problem. Until then I feel my stuff's pretty good so I'm not going to be able to go there."