Woke up thinking about Jose

[Guest Kid Carsey]

No, not the Reyes in the infamous pictures here of him
clad in leather ... the one who has a vacant look about
him sometimes. The guy that doesn't run out foul pop-ups
that might be fair. The guy that gets picked off. The guy
who hits way too many pop flies to the outfield for outs
instead of line drives in the gap for doubles. The guy
who tries to steal third with two outs and a MVP can-
didate at the plate. Enough of that already.

Reyes just hasn't seemed the same to me since that run
in with Willie. Willie was right, Jose was wrong, but
the toothy smile often seems forced most times now. The
much maligned dugout celebratory handshakes are a lot
shorter and controlled. I miss the exuberance, I hope
it wasn't killed off to the point of no return.

Funny thing is, although he looks tired and worn out
and unfocused a lot his play at shortstop hasn't been
affected. He eats up everything and his arm is among
the best in the league.

It's tiring to hear stuff like, "as player X goes, so
goes the team" but Jeebus H. Cocoapuffs we need him
back. When he's on and scoring a run or two a game it
would make all the difference.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I find myself muttering Jose Jose
Jose a lot lately instead of cheering JOSE JOSEJOSEJO-
SE like the chant goes.

[Frayed Knot]

Another game like these past two and I'm going to wake up tomorrow morning and get myself a gun.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

His head is so far up his ass I can't see it coming out in time. We're screwed IOW.

[MFS62]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: His head is so far up his ass I can't see it coming out in time. We're screwed IOW.

Maybe that explains it.
His head is up his ass, so his eyes are blocked and he can't see anything.

Later

[Zvon]

You guys read about Wrights reaction to Reyes getting thrown out at 3rd when he was up?

Bad stuff about the Mets...

We certainly don't need any type of discord at this time.Not at any time between those two, but especially at this time.

[Willets Point]

Kid Carsey wrote: Reyes just hasn't seemed the same to me since that run in with Willie. Willie was right, Jose was wrong, but the toothy smile often seems forced most times now.

Missed this. What happened with Jose and Willie?

[MFS62]

Willie yanked him out of a game for not hustling. It was several weeks ago. I also think that was when Jose started his decline.

Later

[Zvon]

="MFS62"]Willie yanked him out of a game for not hustling. It was several weeks ago. I also think that was when Jose started his decline. Later

I bet Willie saw that "The Bronx is Burning" episode the night before he did that.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Jose started looking bad to me long before Willie benched him, actually. What's especially troubling now is that it's even extended to his hands in the field.

You kinda always knew he wasn't going to be a smiling energy machine his whole life. I mean, Kirby Puckett maintained that illusion deep into his career before it came out he was a complete creep all along.

[G-Fafif]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Kirby Puckett maintained that illusion deep into his career before it came out he was a complete creep all along.

It's a slump -- not a potentially lethal character flaw.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I agree his troubles pre-date the "benching" (one inning).

[Guest Iubitul]

He went on that SB tear in August - I wonder how much that took out of him.

[Zvon]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: What's especially troubling now is that it's even extended to his hands in the field.

Those were his 1st errors in a long time, and to be fair he was blocked out visually. The seriously real error was on the rushed throw, imo, not the booted grounder.

Man, this is a tough crowd.

*Adjusts tie

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Zvon - "Those were his 1st errors in a long time...."

Reyes got lucky the other night when the grounder he botched bounced directly from him to Castillo covering second base. Castillo took the carom off of Reyes and turned a nice double play. Overall, I think Reyes' defense has been fine throughout the season, but he seems to be getting sloppy of late.

His hitting has been very sporadic in the second half of the season. He seems to hit too many balls in the air for outs. He needs to be hitting line drives and ground balls so he can utilize his speed. His speed is of no use on pop ups and fly balls to the outfield.

[Zvon]

Rockin' Doc wrote: Zvon - "Those were his 1st errors in a long time...." Reyes got lucky the other night when the grounder he botched bounced directly from him to Castillo covering second base. Castillo took the carom off of Reyes and turned a nice double play. Overall, I think Reyes' defense has been fine throughout the season, but he seems to be getting sloppy of late. His hitting has been very sporadic in the second half of the season. He seems to hit too many balls in the air for outs. He needs to be hitting line drives and ground balls so he can utilize his speed. His speed is of no use on pop ups and fly balls to the outfield.

Well, his error tonight (though I didn't see it, don't know exactly how it went down) indicates that you are correct sir. Sloppy stuff.

And you are on the mark about his air shots. He used to take that low pitch and drill it.