The Washington Nationals' manager knew that when he relinquished the microphone Sunday, the ceremony in his honour would end, and his final game as a major league skipper would begin.

``I've never done anything harder than I have to do right now,'' Robinson said, his voice cracking, ``and that's to say, 'Goodbye.'''

With that, the Hall of Famer was greeted near home plate by members of the New York Mets and then his own players and coaches, for hugs, back slaps and even a little jig. And then, 20 minutes later than originally scheduled, came the first pitch of what would turn out to be a 6-2 victory for the National League East-champion Mets over the last-place Nationals in a regular-season finale.

David Wright and Shawn Green each had two hits in the second inning, when the Mets scored six runs on nine hits, New York's season high for an inning. Guillermo Mota (3-0) pitched a perfect eighth and was credited with the win.

Ramon Ortiz (11-16) left what might have been his final appearance for the Nationals after getting only four outs _ his shortest start of the season.

That meant Robinson made one last deliberate walk to the mound to yank an ineffective pitcher.

There were plenty of ``lasts'' for Robinson, who was told during the week he wouldn't be returning in 2007 after five years as the club's manager. He said he'd like to stay in baseball after more than half a century, including as a player with 586 homers, and as the first black manager in the majors.

``There's a lot of things I want to try to accomplish for others that are going to come after me. There's a lot of other things in baseball, I think, that can be done much more politically correct,'' Robinson told the crowd during his 10-minute pregame address. ``I'm looking for opportunities for people that are qualified to fill positions in different organizations in baseball.''

Earlier, he told reporters: ``I'm not going to manage, but I'm not retiring.''

Robinson took the lineup card to home plate, where he was warmly embraced by Mets manager Willie Randolph.

After standing with his cap over his chest for the national anthem, Robinson waved to fans and stood on the top step of the dugout to autograph balls, jerseys _ even a blue Mets cap. There were signs thanking Robinson, and chants of ``We love Frank!''

``It's a sad day for everybody _ not just for him,'' said catcher Brian Schneider, who's never played for another manager in the majors.

The game might also have marked free-agent-to-be Alfonso Soriano's last game in a Washington uniform. After he trotted out to left field in the top of the fourth, Robinson sent out a sub, so the fourth member of the 40-40 club could jog off to a standing ovation _ quite a contrast from the spring training days of ``Will he or won't he switch from second base to left field?''

As usual, Robinson watched the game while perched against the green dugout railing, his arms crossed on a white towel. There was a point when everyone else moved away, perhaps a collective effort to give the man a few moments alone.

During his last pre-game news conference in a Nationals uniform, Robinson was asked what his legacy in baseball is. He said he hasn't thought about it _ then got choked up.

``I spent 51 years . . . '' he said, pausing for several seconds to wipe away tears.

Robinson continued: `` . . . doing something that I really like, love and enjoy doing. Not too many people can say that. And, you know, you look back at this kid playing on the sandlots of Oakland, Calif., and telling everybody, when he hadn't seen a big league ballgame, that he was going to be a big leaguer. And then to achieve that goal and spend 51 years in this game _ that's mind-boggling.''

Notes: Mets outfielder Cliff Floyd (left Achilles heel) played for the first time since Tuesday and hit leadoff to get extra at-bats . . . Randolph said he'll decide Monday on a lineup for Game 1 of the playoffs . . . RHP Steve Trachsel will rejoin the Mets on Tuesday . . . With both managers substituting liberally, Schneider made his major league debut at first base in the seventh . . . Nationals 1B Nick Johnson, out since breaking his right leg in an on-field collision Sept. 23, sat in the team's dugout . . . The attendance of 29,044 left the season total at 2,153,056; Washington drew more than 2.7 million fans in 2005.