Memories of Jonathan Villar

[G-Fafif]

The new Cub became the de facto starting third baseman in 2021, contributing more than could have been expected considering how far below the radar his signing with the Mets was.



I never understood the difficulties people had pronouncing his last name: Vee-yar (the presence of looks-like-he-should-rhyme-but-doesn't Kevin Pillar notwithstanding).

[Marshmallowmilkshake]

I was at teh game in Miami when there were more Replace-Mets in the game than actual Mets. We were ahead, gave up the lead, went into extras. Villar made it to third -- and promptly got picked off.



But I liked him. Played fearlessly.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, he had the presence of Pillar working against him when it came to getting a correct pronunciation. Also, the anglophone first name could trick the brain, steering it away from the instinct to pronounce the LL in the Spanish manner.



Keith can be a little lazy about getting pronunciations right, but he's generally cool about stepping up with an apology when he catches himself, or a partner catches him.

[Willets Point]

I remember there was a week or two in 2021 when the Mets seemed to be cruising in first place on the backs of Villar and Pillar. And we thought, "Wow! We just keep winning with the -illar brothers! Imagine how good we'll be when all the injured players come back."

[Lefty Specialist]

Liked him, but there was no place for him on the 2022 Mets. Had more pop than I expected. Hope he does well except against us.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

He was in the middle of everything last year. Probably played more than was ideal but showed the value of getting those one-time starters at the beginning of their transformation to part-timers.



Good representative of Uni #1.

[Edgy MD]

Third on the 2021ers in games, third in plate appearances, second in at-bats.



Tops in stolen bases!

[bmfc1]

Smart player, good base runner, better than I expected.

[Benjamin Grimm]

http://leaptoad.com/mets/cards/JonathanVillar1972.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/cards/JonathanVillar1973.jpg>

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy MD wrote: Tops in stolen bases!

And, I'm guessing, in caught stealing.

[Edgy MD]

Frayed Knot wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Tops in stolen bases! And, I'm guessing, in caught stealing.

Um ... third in homers!

[Benjamin Grimm]

http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2021/20210414_NSD_02a.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2021/20210414_NYP_02.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2021/20210503_NSD_02.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2021/20210503_NYP_02.jpg> http://leaptoad.com/mets/covers/2021/20210911_NSD_02.jpg>