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October 03, 2007
He's Better Than Jeter And A-Rod?
From Mets Merized Online -
Aside from Glavine, I think the player most responsible for the unfathomable collapse of the not so Amazins is none other than Jose Reyes. The supposed franchise player and larger than life superstar, yes, that Jose Reyes.
Jimmy Rollins did what Jose Reyes was supposed to do. I can no longer acclaim Reyes as the best shortstop in the league, or the division for that very matter. This was supposed to be the year that set Reyes aside from all other shortstops, and in a sense would have made him an immortal, top flight talent. Instead, he succeeded in being the poster boy for the biggest collapse in the games illustrious history.
From Mets Today -
In addition to the [Mets] cockiness — and perhaps connected — was the disrespect shown toward both the game and the opponents from a few choice players. Omar Minaya has his own “synonym” for it — he calls it “exuberance”. Strangely, that “exuberance” doesn’t always translate to “effort”, and you’d think it would.
Perpetrator number one is Jose Reyes. And I’ll be the first one to admit that I LOVE watching Jose smile, laugh, and express emotion on the field. He’s one of the very few ballplayers who shows how much he purely enjoys the game. But, when his enthusiasm extends into dances, flamboyantly complex high-five combinations, and similarly taunting outbursts — well, a line has to be drawn. There’s a fine line between enjoying the game and showing up your opponent, and on many occasions, Jose crossed that line. Willie Randolph made a big stink punishing Reyes for not running out a ground ball, but he never did a thing about the over-the-edge exuberance (perhaps not his choice, though). And Reyes is old enough to learn the difference and control himself.
Because Reyes “got away” with it, Lastings Milledge did too. Milledge is immensely talented, we know, but unfortunately he knows it better than we do. He’s a ballpark frank developing into a foot-long — a dyed-in-the-wool, authentic hot dog. At first it was innocent and cute — even I, one of the most critical of LMillz, thought the high-five around the stadium was a fantastic and refreshing act of genuine, kidlike enthusiasm. But it’s not cute anymore when Milledge hangs around to watch homeruns, initiates disco dances at home plate with Reyes, and openly taunts the opposition.
Remember back in April when people were saying that Jose Reyes was the best player in New York? You don't hear that much more these days, do you?
Posted by Steve Lombardi at October 3, 2007 09:54 AM
Comments
You don't hear that much more these days, do you?
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Can't say that I'm surprised...
Anyway, the best player in NY is the guy playing 3b for the Yanks :)
Besides, I never really got into the "who's better" argument anyway. Two players have different games, they play different roles on a team. No need to compare them, just enjoy them for who/what they are. It is possible to enjoy Reyes & Jeter without trying to determine who is the better player.
Posted by: Raf ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 3, 2007 10:40 AM
Good point, Steve. Earlier in the season, I was getting so damned sick of those freaking ESPN discussions where they'd pose the question, "Who would you rather have, Jose Reyes or Derek Jeter?" "Well gee, Derek Jeter is pretty good, but Jose Reyes BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH potential BLAH BLAH BLAH sparkplug BLAH BLAH BLAH speed BLAH BLAH BLAH".
Your analysis in that post in April was spot on, and it still stands today. Jose Reyes has been the starting shortstop for the Mets for three full years now, and he still hasn't shown the ability to consistently get on base as much as a leadoff man should.
Posted by: Jordan Meisner at October 3, 2007 01:57 PM
the one thing i'll never understand is why some players get away with being cocky while others dont. ortiz, ramirez, jr., soriano and bonds stand and admire every HR they hit, but no one says shit about it. a speedy shortstop does it and all of a sudden he's a 'no good cocky sob.' dont get me wrong, i dont think any of them should do it, but for some reason, certain guys get picked on for it over others. ramirez (for whatever ridiculous reason) gets a pass for being an asshole (or stupid) with 'manny being manny.' why not 'jose being jose'?
if anything, it's the speedy little SS who should be allowed to admire their not-too-often HRs as opposed to the bonds/ramirez type sluggers who hit 40 every year. it's a double standard.
Posted by: Travis G. at October 3, 2007 03:22 PM
More ex post facto analysis. Had the Mets won, the comments would be about the youthful enthusiasm carrying them and the cockiness of talented players being a plus. Instead we have to suffer through nonsensical character analyses to explain the collapse.
The Mets lost because they slumped badly at the end of the year while the Phillies went on a hot streak. They did not choke any more than the Yankees did in 2004, nor did they lose because of lack of effort or smugness. In fact, if you look at the performances of most of the Mets in high pressure situations (post-season), you will discover that with very few exceptions (Billy Wagner) they have played exceptionally well or have done well in one series and poorly in another.
Every one of the Met starting 8 have post-season experience, and every one has had at least one good to excellent series. Some, like Beltran and Delgado have been brilliant.
Sometimes, good teams go through stretches when they lose a lot of games. Character is not at issue.
Posted by: Bob R. at October 4, 2007 07:17 AM
Sometimes, good teams go through stretches when they lose a lot of games. Character is not at issue.
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Yes, but it makes for better "analysis."
Posted by: Raf at October 4, 2007 08:57 AM
No, it makes for replacing analysis with drivel, and if you read the Mets boards, some truly dreadful stereotyping as well.
Posted by: Bob R. at October 4, 2007 10:54 AM