Reyes, do you want to be a Jeter or a Rey Ordonez?

[metirish]

Why would Jose want to be like either of them , or I suppose I should ask why Wally wants Reyes to be like Jeter , can't he just be himself?

] From: Wallace Matthews Sports columnist Newsday To: Jose Reyes Just what kind of a baseball player do you want to be, anyway? What kind of a career do you want to have? What type of legacy would you like to leave behind? How would you like to be remembered, as another Derek Jeter? Or another Rey Ordo�ez? You're probably too young to remember Rey Ordo�ez, but for those of us who have followed the Mets for longer than you've been alive, Rey-Rey is impossible to forget. He, too, came up with the kind of hype that has attached itself to you from the day you signed a Mets' minor-league contract. When Ordo�ez was a rookie, there was actually debate among otherwise rational people over which young shortstop would have the better career, him or Jeter. Now, of course, we know the answer. Jeter's name is synonymous with winner; Ordo�ez's name is synonymous with bust. So which is it going to be for you? Clearly, you can go either way. And depending upon which way you go, so, too, will go the Mets. I'm glad you're having fun again, with your celebrations and your dugout dance routines. But for thousands of Mets fans throughout the city, the only fun is seeing this team win and seeing you play well. The two go hand-in-hand, like one of your silly handshakes. In a lot of ways, you are a symbol of your team, this breathtakingly talented and profoundly frustrating array of ballplayers that so far has given us more days to forget than to remember. I realize there is plenty of blame to spread around for the slow start of the 2008 Mets, who on some days look suspiciously like a continuation of the 2007 Mets. But all blame starts at the top - of the batting order, that is - and that is where you come in. Through 19 games last year, you were hitting .329. Your on-base percentage, all important for a leadoff hitter, was .421. You had scored 21 runs, drawn 13 walks, stolen 12 bases in 14 attempts. The Mets' record at the time was 13-6, and that was not coincidence. It was cause and effect. This year, you are hitting only .280. You have drawn a mere four walks, stolen only three bases in five tries, scored only 12 runs. Your OBP, .313, is worse than all but three other NL leadoff hitters. Even Rickie Weeks, batting .192 at the top of the Brewers' lineup, is getting on base more often than you. As a result, the Mets are struggling, a mere game over .500 going into last night's game against the Nationals. In large part, this is because you, Jose Reyes, are not doing your job, which is to create runs at the top of the batting order and prevent runs on the field. You can't do the first if your body isn't on base and you can't do the second if your head isn't in the game. The other day in Chicago, your decision to throw home on what should have been an inning-ending double-play ball led directly to the grand slam that blew the game open. What exactly were you thinking? You can blame Jorge Sosa if you like. But had you made the right play, he never would have been in the position to throw that pitch. And you might have come up in the ninth with a chance to do something meaningful. Instead, you grounded out to end a game that was already out of reach. You can shrug the blame off on the manager or the GM or the bullpen or the first baseman or the centerfielder, and on any given day, any one of them can be measured for the clown suit. But day in and day out, it is you that makes this engine go - or stall in the mud. When it comes down to it, the long-term success of this ballclub depends on you and David Wright, the axis around which all Mets teams for the next 15 years are supposed to be built. Wright not only has delivered on his promise, but exceeded it. But on too many days, we wonder if you will ever keep yours. I sincerely hope so. Over the past two seasons, the fortunes of the Mets have risen and fallen with you. Since 2006, they have gone from the presumed best team in the league to the official second-best team in the division. Likewise, you have gone from one of the best players in the game to no better than the third-best shortstop in your division. No coincidence there, either. In April, it is not too late for the Mets to regroup and at 24, it is certainly not too late for you to keep the promises you have made to your team, and the promises that have been made to the fans in your behalf. But it is all up to you, Jose Reyes. Who do you want to be when you grow up? DJ? Or Rey-Rey? Eagerly awaiting your reply, Wallace Matthews

Reyes

[Benjamin Grimm]

He's already had a better career than Rey Ordonez.

[bmfc1]

The little boy in the picture under the caption "Give Us Your Best Shot" on newsday.com knows more about baseball than comedian Wallace Matthews.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Dear Wally,

Shut the fuck up.

Sincerely,
Everyone

[Guest AG/DC]

Edgy DC wrote:

What a bag of nonsense! Are there not more options than being another Rey Ord��ez or another Derek Jeter? First of all, Jeter's name is not synonymous with "winner" in everybody's thesaurus, thank you. Derek Jeter has made his share of errors, mental and phyiscal, and he's still Derek Jeter, whatever his name may translate as.

How about being rememberd as another Aparicio? Or Appling? Or Honus Wagner? Woulldn't that be something?

I myself would be happy to be remembered as not another Wallace Matthews. In large part, this is because you, Wallace Matthews, are not doing your job, which is to seek the truth, not distort it.

[Frayed Knot]

" [Ordonez] too, came up with the kind of hype that has attached itself to you from the day you signed a Mets' minor-league contract."

That's not even close to accurate.

[Guest KC]

What's really funny is that if a Mets star like Jose or Wright had that smirky
cockiness (with a dash of look at me I'm pretty) thing that Jeets has had
going on Wally would write an article telling them to know their place and
suggest they be more like some other Yankee.

It's just stupid and that's why I don't read it unless it comes up in a thread
conversation or something.

[Guest Mendoza Line]

]You have drawn a mere four walks, stolen only three bases in five tries, scored only 12 runs.

It's early to be projecting anything, but 12 runs in 19 games projects to 102 over 162. Not bad considering the weak production from the 2, 4, and 5 spots in the order so far.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Mendoza Line wrote: ]You have drawn a mere four walks, stolen only three bases in five tries, scored only 12 runs. It's early to be projecting anything, but 12 runs in 19 games projects to 102 over 162. Not bad considering the weak production from the 2, 4, and 5 spots in the order so far.

I agree with you about 19 games being too early. David Wright's April of last year was dreadful yet in the end he was the league's MVP IMO. But Reyes isn't having much of a season so far, for what it's worth. If he's projecting out to 102 runs scored, one could argue that he should be projecting to something higher than that number.

[G-Fafif]

Jose Reyes, Rey Ordonez and Derek Jeter have all had better careers than Wally Matthews.

[Frayed Knot]

FJM.com points out the folly of the a small sample size, particularly as Wally uses Reyes's start: .280, 4 BBs, 3 SB, 12 runs scored, .313 OBA, to proclaim him to be "no Derek Jeter".

And the main problem in his argument is the (conviently ignored) start of the great Jeter:
.277 BA, 2 BBs, 0 SB, 7 runs scored, and a .309 OBA,

[nymr83]

Frayed Knot wrote: FJM.com points out the folly of the a small sample size, particularly as Wally uses Reyes's start: .280, 4 BBs, 3 SB, 12 runs scored, .313 OBA, to proclaim him to be "no Derek Jeter". And the main problem in his argument is the (conviently ignored) start of the great Jeter: .277 BA, 2 BBs, 0 SB, 7 runs scored, and a .309 OBA,

fool. the great jeter does not deign to hit in april, wait until october!

[Fman99]

Wally, you are a ****.

Sincerely,

Fman99

[metirish]

Fman99 wrote: Wally, you are a ****. Sincerely, Fman99

That just made me laugh so hard.

[Guest *62]

Good article. Reyes was the most glaring component of last seasons collapse and has, largely, sucked a$$ so far this year.

When he learns to play GOOD BASEBALL six or (GASP) seven nights weekly then he may be something more than the third best shortstop in his own division. But don't hold your breath. This is probably his last year in New York - I can hope, anyway - if the Mets mope through another lackluster season.

Spin it any way you like ..... he's had one All-Star-caliber season in FIVE and is the single most overrated player in the game.

[Guest AG/DC]

And your post is spin-free?

[Benjamin Grimm]

He's 24 years old.

WAY too early to be giving up on him.

[Guest *62]

]And your post is spin-free?

Which part you take issue with?

[Guest *62]

="Benjamin Grimm"]He's 24 years old. WAY too early to be giving up on him.

You could look at it that way ..... or you could also say he's the friggin' six-year incumbent starter at the position with a career OBP identical to Bud Harrelson. Perspective is all.

I've been a Met fan 45 years .... I'll be one (G-d willing) long after Jose plays his last game. So far, his overall body of work is less impressive than the infectious smile. All the more frustrating since the talent is all there.

Smiles are cheap, though.

[Guest AG/DC]

="*62"] ]And your post is spin-free? Which part you take issue with?

Well there's all of it, really.

Let's go with facts. He's had two All-Star seasons. Having any is nothing to sneeze at. He's had the three best offensive seasons by a Met shortstop ever. Probably the three best seasons.

Nobody performs well seven days a week. I wish he did better and I fear he'll do worse, just like everybody, but you're holding hiim to a standard nobody could meet, and that is spin.

I don't know where you find the likelihood that this is his last season in New York. He's locked up and he's a bargain.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I guess I haven't seen as much, since I've only been a fan for 38 years.

You can call him a six-year incumbent if you like, but he's just starting his fourth year as the full-time shortstop.

And again, he's 24, an age where his best years are ahead of him. You're invoking "perspective" but you don't seem to have any.

[Guest *62]

Good contract. Great call by Omar tabbing DW as the center of the team and not Jose.

He has played in two AS games but had only one (my words precisely) 'All-Star-caliber season'. He had two good months of six last year, and his finish, widely reported to be an attitude problem, cost the team their lead in September. Not a great season, 2007, for Jose.

I don't expect him to never go 0-4 .... it's the assinine way he goes about going 0-4 that makes me throw shit at my television; he has no baseball SENSE; all the talent necessary to make New Yorkers actually compare him to Jeter, but none of the sense.

I just think him to be vastly overrated based on what he's done on the field.

[Guest *62]

="Benjamin Grimm"]I guess I haven't seen as much, since I've only been a fan for 38 years. You can call him a six-year incumbent if you like, but he's just starting his fourth year as the full-time shortstop. And again, he's 24, an age where his best years are ahead of him. You're invoking "perspective" but you don't seem to have any.

I know; it's not popular to mack on the team's most ..... what? ..... charismatic player. The two half seasons lost to hammy troubles were his problem, no one else's; KIDS ought not lose that much time to hamstring issues and need to be taught how to friggin' run, for Pete's sake.

Throwing to the wrong base .... consistently out of position on the field .... terrible on-base percentage .... no power .... and doing his utmost to play Willie Randolph out of a job.

As for my perspective ... it's splendid, thank you. At least I don't need to rationalize (lie to myself) about something like my favorite baseball team's shortstop which, in the grand scheme of things, isn't terribly important.

He's a very good player ..... when he feels like.

[Benjamin Grimm]

*62 wrote: As for my perspective ... it's splendid, thank you. At least I don't need to rationalize (lie to myself) about something like my favorite baseball team's shortstop which, in the grand scheme of things, isn't terribly important.

Aren't you the one who started this rant on this unimportant subject?

[Guest KC]

Yeah, uh, I think it's still a little early to take the Jose-poisoned-my-puppy-
and-I-want-him-gone-NOW!!! stance -- but whatever.

Some Mets fans need to be miserable over someone or something.

[Guest *62]

KC wrote: Yeah, uh, I think it's still a little early to take the Jose-poisoned-my-puppy- and-I-want-him-gone-NOW!!! stance -- but whatever.

Too much drama; I'll settle for an off-season trade to an AL club.

]Some Mets fans need to be miserable over someone or something.

Not me, Sparky. I take the wins with the losses, one day at a time, and move on with something I call "life". I probably haven't been upset over a Met loss for more than ten minutes since 1973's Game 7 loss to Oakland. But I was only twelve then.

It's baseball, remember? It's fun, and nothing to ever be miserable about. Among other reasons it's why I'm a LL Ump here in Florida District Nine.

[Guest *62]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: ="*62"] As for my perspective ... it's splendid, thank you. At least I don't need to rationalize (lie to myself) about something like my favorite baseball team's shortstop which, in the grand scheme of things, isn't terribly important. Aren't you the one who started this rant on this unimportant subject?

]"Shut the fuck up, Wally" "You're a ****, Wally"

I just thought those were a little over-the-top for a baseball discussion, and decided to post my own reason for still not having gotten drunk on the Jose Kool-Aid.



So, you see, I wasn't on a rant at all; just expressing my own opinion. And people get angry when Jose takes a bullet, instead of being frustrated by his continuous pop outs.

Edited April 25, 2008 by Guest

[Guest KC]

LOL -- hey, from one condescending prick to another -- don't call me Sparky.

[Guest *62]

KC wrote: LOL -- hey, from one condescending prick to another -- don't call me Sparky.

I can live with that.

[Guest *62]

Brent Fucking Mayne?!?!

Jeebus Rice! SOmeone add ten posts to my count in a hurry.

I want Koosman.