As the playoffs near, it’s fortunate for the Ducks that Ryan Getzlaf isn’t a Ranger or an Islander.

It’s even more fortunate for Getzlaf.

If he played in New York, he’d be filleted enough to be served on a bun, with a side of tartar sauce.

That’s what can happen in places where perspective is seen from the obstructed-view seats, the seats where what matters in life can still be inexplicably obscured by what matters only in sports.

Getzlaf told the Register’s Eric Stephens this week that, if necessary, he’d miss a playoff game to be present for the birth of one of his children. And – get this – it might just be necessary in a few weeks.

“The chances of me missing a baby being born,” Getzlaf said, “are very slim.”

Can you believe this guy’s shortsightedness? A man choosing to be a father and husband over being an athlete and teammate? And in the playoffs, no less? Come on, Getzlaf, there will be other children!

When Daniel Murphy missed the Mets’ first two regular-season games to be there for his wife and newborn son, he was ripped in New York by radio hosts Boomer Esiason, Craig Carton and Mike Francesa, each of whom was immediately and rightly portrayed as having the perspective – and mentality – of an earthworm.

Esiason, who since has apologized, said Murphy’s wife should have had a “C-section before the season starts,” and isn’t it easy to slice into otherwise healthy human flesh when it isn’t yours?

Carton made a crack about breastfeeding and announced that, once everyone is deemed to be healthy, “You get your (rear end) back to your team and you play baseball,” because, honestly, what could be more important than beating the Washington Nationals?

Francesa pointed out that Murphy, as a professional ballplayer, has the wherewithal to “hire a nurse,” and who needs actual parenting and spousal support when you can buy the next best thing?

“I think it’s ignorant,” Getzlaf said of the criticism Murphy received. “It’s ignorant to think that an athlete is an exception because of what he’s playing. … I think that anyone at any other job would be there for their wife.”

Unless, apparently, that job is New York radio host, which clearly requires having an opinion but must not specify anything about possessing a heart.

Getzlaf and his wife, Paige, have two kids – sons, Ryder and Gavin – with a third child on the way. The baby is due in early May, a time when the Ducks plan on being up to their ears in postseason.

So Getzlaf is facing a potentially tough situation but hardly a difficult decision. The decision is so easy, in fact, that it already has been made.

“Same as always, I would miss as little time as possible,” Getzlaf explained. “I’d get there and be a part of it and make sure everybody’s OK, and I’d be right back. If that happens to fall on a game day, that’s unfortunate, but that’s what would happen.”

What about the possibility of taking the advice of Esiason, the former NFL quarterback, and calling an audible on the play sent in by God?

“We would do whatever’s best for our family,” Getzlaf said. “I induced with my first child (Ryder) because the time came where he was late and we needed that baby out. Would I be inducing when it’s not the right time? No. I would never do that.”

And how can the Ducks have as their captain a player who doesn’t understand the value of being selfish, who obviously needs to learn that winning a Stanley Cup comes before everything, including the needs some unborn child?

These decisions really have become no-brainers. Life long ago stopped being an old TV show, where the expectant father paces across the worn waiting room carpet until a nurse emerges and announces, “It’s a boy/girl!”

Fathers today are expected to be present, not being there hardly an acceptable first impression for any dad. Some radio hosts would be wise to catch up.

Baseball introduced its paternity list in 2011 and nearly 100 players, including three already this season, have taken leave.

Instead of being criticized, players like Murphy should be celebrated. How many athletes have famously neglected their children? Their wives? Their responsibilities? The subject is so prevalent that it has evolved into a running joke.

Here’s a man doing everything he can – everything that is completely within his rights – to be the best father and husband possible and, for that, he’s belittled? There’s a word for this type of perspective: warped.

On Friday, Murphy and the Mets visit Angel Stadium for the start of a three-game series, and what a wonderfully timed opportunity.

Why not salute him with a warm ovation before his first at-bat? Murphy has earned the support, a sign that one well-grounded daddy beats three nonsense-talking heads.

Contact the writer: jmiller@ocregister.com