Hazel Mae out at NESN- leaves Tappen & Watney as the only eye candy

Hazel Mae will no longer make Red Sox [team stats] fans’ day. NESN announced yesterday that the popular “SportsDesk” anchor will leave the station at the end of the month.

“After four incredible and exciting years at NESN, I’ve decided now was the right time for me to make this difficult decision to leave,” Mae said in a statement.

“It has been both a personal and professional privilege to be a part of NESN and the dedicated ‘SportsDesk’ team. During my time with the network, I’ve had more than a few once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, including the chance to cover two World Series and a Super Bowl.”

The departure of Mae, a fan fave who joined NESN in 2004 and, in addition to “SportsDesk,” hosted the “Ultimate Red Sox Show” and “The Buzz,” is the second high-profile exit from the station in four months. In February, Sox go-to gal Tina Cervasio departed the station after failing to agree on a new contract and, word is, her colleague Mae have had a similar conundrum.

“They don’t want to pay anyone, that’s what this is about,” said one NESN snoop. “And they’re going to have trouble hiring good people because of that.”

Tina’s public reason for leaving the station was that she wanted to be closer to her hubby, who lives in New Jersey. But insiders say she wanted to re-sign at NESN - but not for the lowball pitch they threw at her.

The station replaced her with Heidi Watney, an unseasoned - but very attractive - sportsgal from Fresno, Calif., a market more than a few innings behind Boston in terms of major-league players and fans.

Mae, whose contract runs out next month, reportedly also got a salary offer that wasn’t in her ballpark. And although she did not say whether she has a new gig lined up, Hazel has, in the past, flirted with the gang at ESPN.

“I am grateful to the Red Sox and Bruins [team stats] ownership groups, NESN president, Sean McGrail, and all the players and staff who have supported and challenged me,” Mae’s statement said. “Most importantly, I’d like to thank the amazing and passionate sports fans of New England, who have welcomed me into their homes and given me a chance to do the kind of work I enjoy.”

The NESN vixen became nearly as popular as the players she covered during her four years at the station. The former Toronto sports reporter, who morphed from a dowdy-dressed outsider to a sexy local superstar at NESN, was so admired by Sox fans that a cardboard cutout of her once sold for $400 on eBay.

Hazel was frequently spotted out on the town - often with a sports star on her arm. She dated ex-Celtic Ricky Davis and ESPN “SportsCenter” anchor Steve Levy and was linked to ex-Toronto Blue Jay Kevin Barker. A radio yakker once speculated that she and married Sox skipper Terry Francona were the subject of a blind New York gossip column item - a bad assumption that cost the yakker his job.

Mae fanned the rumor flames, telling Internet sports blogger John Molori that NESN had no rules against dating players and if they did, she wouldn’t work there. The remark reportedly didn’t sit well with her bosses. Ditto for her infamous “thong” comment on WEEI.

But yesterday NESN programming veep Joel Feld described Mae as “a special part of the NESN family.”

“Every day, she brought energy, smarts and a fan sensibility to our ‘SportsDesk’ audience,” he said. “We are sorry to see her leave, but wish her every success in future professional endeavors.”