28
2011
Reyes Asked Out Of The Game
An article by Craig Lerner
Updated 4:00 pm
After today’s game, Jose Reyes told reporters that it was his decision to to leave the game after reaching base in the first inning on a bunt single.
That pretty much take’s Terry Collins off the hook. Sorry, Terry!
Reyes said: “I don’t care what people say. Last year I played seven innings, and in the seventh inning I came out of the game — the last game. I don’t care what people think. I was happy. I discussed it with Terry early.”
Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson tweeted: “Seriously people — taking out a star player to preserve his batting average lead…weak! I hope ryan braun goes 5- 5 and wins the title now.”
However, Mike Francesa is now leading the charge against what Reyes did. He called it horrendous, outrageous and just another reason why the Mets are second rate and an embarrassment. Thoughts?
Original Post 3:00 pm
I’m not writing this to bash manager Terry Collins who I absolutely like a great deal, but what in the world was he thinking when he decided to pull Jose Reyes out of the game after one at-bat in the first inning – a signature Jose Reyes bunt single?
Did he not get the memo that this could potentially be the final game Jose Reyes might play in a Mets uniform?
Did somebody forget to remind him that the only reason any fans went to the game was to catch a glimpse of what could be the first Mets player ever to win a batting title?
How could he screw something as significant as this game and this moment up?
Jose Reyes is the only reason we are still watching games in September – nobody is buying tickets to see Jason Pridie or Angel Pagan or even David Wright.
This was our last opportunity to say good bye to the greatest Mets shortstop in the history of this franchise and they BOTCHED the whole thing up.
So Jose Reyes bunts his way on for a hit and the last thing we’ll remember is the chorus of boos as he jogs off the field, greets Justin Turner, and ducks into the dugout. That’s aboslutely wonderful. Thanks for that Terry!
No huge ovation – no curtain calls – not much of anything. So Reyes finishes his season — and, possibly, his Mets career — with a .337 average. The only way Ryan Braun catches him is if he goes at least 3-4 tonight.
Congratulations and Good Luck Jose!
About the Author: Craig Lerner
I'm a data analyst and researcher for a leading news agency who loves life and is hooked on the Mets. I love following the Amateur Draft and have a particular fondness for the Mets Minor Leagues who I follow each day. Give me a cold beer, a summer day, and a Mets game, and I'm good to go.
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I wonder whose plan this was – can’t wait until the facts come out – if they ever do.
This was all to win the battling title for Jose and more importantly, the Mets. Watch Braun go 4 for 4 and take the title… Now that would be classic Mets.
I was so mad and down when Collins did this; really after one at bat and one bunt single.
Can’t we have enjoyed Jose on the field for at least a couple of innings?
I also support TC but this was as bone headed as it gets and it was a slap in the face of those fans that showed up and those watching on TV.
Let the excuses and cover ups begin cause nothing justifies robbing a loyal fan from watching possibly Jose’s last time with Mets, hope not, just saying.
Bad, bad, bad move terry!
SARGE, AS TC SAID,”I FEEL HE’LL(JOSE) BE BACK. I’D SAY IT HINTS MORE LIKE JOSE FEELS MUCH THE SAME WAY. TO BOTH THIS WASN’T A SWAN SONG, JUST A USE OF MATHEMATICS, AT LEAST REYES LEFT BRAUN AN OPORTUNITY & DIDN’T EXIT AFTER 2 BUNTS, 2 FOR 2
REAGAERDLESS OF WHAT ANYONE “FEELS”,SAYS OR WRITES REYES DID NOT WIN THE TITLE GOING 1 FOR 1 ON THE LAST DAY BUT BY GOING 7 FOR 9 IN HIS LAST SERIES WHILE BRAUN WENT 2 FOR 7 DURING HIS FINAL SERIES.
AS IT TURNED OUT, THAT 1 BH WAS ALL HE NEEDED BE IT 1 FOR 1, 1 FOR 2 ,1 FOR 3 OR 1 FOR 5 THE 1 BEATS AN Ofer ANYTHING, ANY TIME, ANY DAY & btw 1941′s TED WILLIAMS’ 1941 .3995 TO .406 ISN’T PERTINENT AS REGARDLESS OF wILLIAMS’ TALLY IN THAT LEGENDARY DOUBLE DIP, HIS FIRST OF 6 BATTING TITLES WAS ALL BUT GUARANTEED AS #2, CECIL TRAVIS WAS @ .359.
WILLIAMS’ TRUE OPPONENT THAT DAY WAS A FIXED NUMBER(.400) THAT’S A BIG DIFFERENCE
Uh, I think the facts have caught up with you . . . TC took Reyes out at Reyes’s request.
People can disagree about whether they liked that Reyes asked out . . . but it’s not a case of the Mets “screwing up.”
Let’s just say that I hope Ryan Braun goes 4-4 tonight.
Well I’m rooting hard for Braun to get no more than two hits. I don’t blame Jose one bit. Everyone knew exactly what the required plate appearances had to be to qualify for the batting title and if Braun wasn’t close he wouldn’t even be playing tonight. He’d be resting up for the playoffs so it works both ways.
I’m a die hard life long Mets fan but I hope Braun goes 6-6 tonight
Shame on Reyes, I’d rather see a Mets win the batting title with an bit more dignity
STOP, you are not a die hard Mets fan if you say that, sorry, if you think this is something new, then YOU are a new fan.
Reyes gets this title as a NY Met – it’s a win win for everyone.
People need to get off the moral high horse.
He should have taken 3 bats and then left the game in the filed and got a standing O.
One more point whats really the difference between taking 17 or 18 mil a yr with the Mets vs 21 mil with another team. This is NY- there is no better place to play.
$3-4mill a year?
Hard to tell anyone to turn down $25,000,000 over what could easily be the rest of his working career. Even more, if it is a lower tax state!
This was disgusting. Reyes should be ashamed of himself. I’m rooting hard for Braun tonight.
I don’t mind bunting for the hit, but leaving before the first inning was over is the most despicable thing I’ve ever seen a player do. Let him take that crap elsewhere. New York doesn’t need him.
Jeez X, Most despicable thing you’ve ever seen a player do?
Really? Don’t you think that’s WAY over the top?
Players have sat on their leads many times on the last day.
You know what I think is worse? Braun playing tonight. What if he gets hurt and misses the playoffs? Why is he even in the game tonight?
And really more than anything hasn’t Jose built up an awful lot of goodwill here in the last eight years? Can’t anyone cut him any slack? I guess not. No one could even cut Jeter any slack about the All Star game.
What is it with everyone? Plenty of guys have protected their leads. Everyone knows how many AB’s are required. He has a great chance to win a batting title and it didn’t effect his team or opponent or the post season one iota.
Here’s splitting hairs but I would have liked to see him go out to SS and then get taken out after two outs in the top of the 2nd.
He’s earned it.
Just because plenty of guys have done it, doesn’t mean it’s ok to do it. The best player on the team, the only bright spot of the season who swore up and down how he loves NY leaves before the first inning is over on the last day. That’s such a slap in the face to everyone who paid for their tickets explicitly to see him play. I felt the same way about Boggs. He shows he doesn’t care about competition, he just wants his payday. He’s selfish and a liar. He wants to get three ABs and come out in the 7th to a standing O, that’s fine. But to do this, the way he did it? That batting title should have an asterik on it.
What a fake competitor.
I think your confusing the competition though.
The competition is about making the post season and winning 11 games. This is individual stuff. The competition has been over for us since we left St. Louis.
Braun on the other hand is the one putting himself in front of the team and that to me is the most selfish thing imaginable. That franchise has only made the post season a handful of times and positioned itself for a go for broke run this year, made it, and if he were to get hurt would seriously damage their chances.
To me it’s all about the post season. Batting titles are fun things, the playoffs and pennant races are the serious stuff.
Just curious. What’s your opinion on the pitching staff the NYY rolled out there tonight in a game that really, really matters?
Not true. The Brewers are playing for the 2nd seed and home field in the first round. That’s important. The Yankees have nothing to play for at all. Different scenarios.
A list of other fake competitors:
Willie Wilson
Alex Johnson
George Brett
Bill Mueller
Ken Griffey Jr,
Bill Madlock
Terry Pendleton
Ty Cobb
Tim Raines
All have sat out the last game to win a title to a degree or other. Ty Cobb sat out 3 (or so) games.
I have a feeling this are more layers to X’s reaction today to Reyes’ decision. Kind of using it as an outlet to vent a frustration which is usually held for another ballplayer in this town.
They are all fake competitors. Every last one of them. Add Reyes to that list. Paper champion. You can have all the feelings in the world about stupid lies you make up. I used to be a huge Reyes fan.
Why do you keep mentioning lies and me out here? I’ll appeal to the other readers who read these posts to help in this search of “me and lies” you keep referring to. That’s fair, right?
In the meantime enjoy:
XtreemIcon says:
September 27, 2011 at 7:25 pm
When did I get saddled with this clutch doesn’t exist thing? I thought you outgrew making up lies. Guess not.
XtreemIcon says: May 16, 2011 at 5:50 pm In the interest of full disclosure, I don’t agree with it, either. I think clutch is immeasurable and doesn’t exist.
I asked you to show where you found that quote and you refused. Honesty, huh? Go back under your rock.
Oh it’s there. It’s real. It exists. You said it.
You just need to do smarter searches. But you appear to have decent computer skills I would think so i have faith you’ll eventually find it. If not an associate of yours will.
Cheers,
and have a nice day
I figured. Made up.
oh okay you forced me to help you more, darn.
Since you’re on the writing staff here, appeal to your contemporaries or site administration and ask for their assistance.
Oh wait..you’re asking for me to provide a link? Nah, no chance you’re gonna have to do some footwork to find it.
..and I thought you had better computer skills than that..
It figures you’d back him after exhibiting the same kind of behavior you accuse others of exhibiting. You’re a phony, just your other banned friend. You don’t care about the Mets and honest competition, just about the players who fit your criteria, which is why you make up lies about a certain player who doesn’t. You’re a joke.
That’s right! Run to the admins and cover up your agenda, PUNK!
My CRITERIA is
1. All-Star player
2. Drug free athlete
3. Elite defensively and offensively at his position
4. Fan favorite who loves the fans
5. Doesn’t get into trouble off the field
6. Hard worker
Jose Reyes doesn’t fit YOUR criteria, because YOU, LIKE MANY OTHER WRITERS FROM THIS SITE AND OTHERS, and certain media members, have AGENDAS.
STFU loser!
so, is that worst than him sit out the game????? was brett a POS? was pendlenton a POS? because last i checked they did the same???
I have no respect for any of those guys Alex.This is not a Jose thing,it’s an integrity thing.Brandon Phillips supposedly left the game injured the other night but we all know he left with an even 300.I was a big fan of his but I lost respect.
jus like jeter in 2008? you got a lot of nerve man… first you insult me and all dominica-ns by talking sh** about minaya and reyes and bodega, yet you wanna establish a debate or any type of conv with me? is funny how over the internet you find really tough guys.. face to face is a whole nother story right…
Go F yourself, you fake Met fan. The disgrace here are POS Met fans like yourself..LOSER!
Figures you’d back him. You and the two other stooges probably love this. You are the biggest loser I’ve ever seen. You don’t care about the Mets, you only care about certain players that fit your……criteria. You know what I’m talking about. I don’t know how you got back on here so soon after being banned, but you’re as despicable as Reyes if you support what he did and should go crawl back under your rock.
I have NO problem with what happened yesterday, but YOU sir are a hippocrate, you’d be the first here to kill Wright if he did it.
That’s right! Run to the admins and cover up your agenda, PUNK!
My CRITERIA is
1. All-Star player
2. Drug free athlete
3. Elite defensively and offensively at his position
4. Fan favorite who loves the fans
5. Doesn’t get into trouble off the field
6. Hard worker
Jose Reyes doesn’t fit YOUR criteria, because YOU, LIKE MANY OTHER WRITERS FROM THIS SITE AND OTHERS, and certain media members, have AGENDAS.
STFU loser!
Joe D those are my feelings exactly, I love Jose Reyes, but I’m ashamed of his actions. It’s a complete disgrace and lack of respect for the team, and the game.
Was it disgusting when Braun didn’t start in the other day because he was leading Reyes? Should Braun be ashamed of himself too?
I had 2 reactions when Reyes got the bunt hit and came out.1)I thought Jose was trying to back into a title 2) Fatso Francesa would kill Reyes for coming out.I have changed my opinion about my first reaction.Jose had 6 hits the last 2 games and ended up the season 7 for his last 11 at bats, inclusing 2 homers last nite in a ballpark almost impossible to hit home runs.It’s not like he was bunting every time up or trying to hit swinging bunts.Plus there is no way Braun would have played tonite in a meaningless game if reyes goes 0 for 3 and Braun has the batting lead.
francesca somehow kept his mouth shut when jeter went on the DL with a phantom injury that just happened to coincide with a road trip that would have most likely given him his 3000th hit away from yankee stadium.
and to extrapolate one guy’s action on one day to neatly explain the 50 year history of a franchise is just plain wrong.
Under normal conditions (since Reyes last Hanny pull) he would not have gotten ANY at bats today because it was a day game after a night game.
I think it’s much ado about nothin if you ask me.
If he would have stayed in game and gone out after 3 at bats no one would be talking about it. No, whoever made the decision is not going to look good all winter long. Mets stuff you can’t make it up.
This is the problem I have with Jose coming out of the game after the bunt single:
“Before the game on September 28, Williams was batting .39955, which would have been rounded up to a .400 average.[61] Williams, who had the chance to sit out the final, decided to play a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Athletics. Williams explained that he didn’t really deserve the .400 average if he did sit out).[63] Williams went 6-for-8 on the day, finishing the baseball season at .406.” Wikepedia
It’s about confidence and character neither of which were displayed by Jose today.
Give him a break. He obviously was afraid of coming this far and losing out, so he did the unpopular thing and played it safe. Sounds like he knew it would cause some flak, but he felt that the alternative ( a lifetime knowing he could have done it this way, didn’t, and finished second ) was worse.
Don’t let it get in the way of the fact that it took a lot to get to this spot ( including 3 hits last night ), and he’s entitled to it.
OK, so he’s not Ted Williams.
Francis – don’t get me wrong – I really like Jose – I think he’s the most exciting player in the game today.
Rather, I don’t agree with him sitting down after getting a bunt single. There was no reason not to play the entire game except that he was not confident in getting another hit.
If Braun goes 0 – 4 (he’s currently 0 for 1) then Reyes might regret his choice.
Listen, it’s Jose’ decision to sit out after getting a fifteen foot hit. God bless him if he wins the batting championship.
In my opinion, it questions his character. But hey, it’s only my opinion.
Ted Williams wasn’t sufferring through the pain of a bad Hammy in the entire month of September when that happened either!
Last game of the year, in a batting race, he was able to leg out a bunt single. Not sure a bad hammy is relevant.
I’M ALSO NOT CERTAIN ANYONE CAN GUARANTEE WILLIAMS MAKES THE SAME DECISION IF HIS NEAREST PURSUER FOR “THE CROWN” WAS AT .399 WITHIN OVERTAKE RANGE OF A WILLIAMS 3 FOR 8 DAY,INSTEAD OF THE .359 CECIL TRAVIS HAD OR IF HIS NEXT YEAR’S SALARY WAS TO BE ALTERED BY HIS DECISION. IT WAS A VERY DIFFERENT ERA THE GOALS OF EACH PLAYER WAS DIFFERENT INASMUCH AS 1 WAS ATTEMPTING TO MRELY ADD TO HIS CURRENT # WITH NO NEED TO CONSIDER LOSING ANYTHING BY FAILING. AS A 395+ BA STILL GAVE HIM THE CROWN; BUT NOT THE HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE. BASED UPON THE TIMES OF OWNERSHIP PLAYER CONTROL IT’S UNLIKELY YAWKEY’S NEXT SEASON PARAMETER WOULD ALTER WHETHER TED HAD A .395+ OR THE .406 IN HIS BACKPOCKET. REMEMBER, NO OTHER OFFERS CULD BE FIELDED, IT WAS “TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT” BASEBALL
I have the following questions:
Sorry about the above comment goof. My computer skills are about as proficient as Parnell’s closing abilities. Anyway, my questions:
1. Who is the manager TC or Jose?
2. Who knows-if Jose would have stayed in he may have went 3 for 4. If he bunted once for a hit, why not do it again?
3..Did anyone tell Jose when he started playing baseball that it was a “team sport.”
4. If Braun wins-he earned it but if Reyes wins his batting title will have to b e entered with an * after his name?
5. And the most important: Did anyone ever teach this guy about Ted Williams?
{PS: this was all orchestrated by his agent to get a better free agent contract!)
a) weaker stuff has been done on the last day of the year.
b) he’s been a consummate team player for 6 years, he’s allowed one day in my opinion.
c) i don’t think a team is going to pay extra for the .005 in batting average. i’m pretty sure this was reyes seeing this as a once in a lifetime opportunity.
d) i’m sure he knows about ted williams and would probably admit that he isn’t as confident in his hitting ability.
Amen! Reyes was simply afraid to compete.I’m actually shocked to see anybody come to his defense.This guy is now going to be looking for over 100 million dollars but he was afraid to compete and lose point off of his batting average.When was the last time Reyes bunted for a hit.With his speed he should’ve made an art form out of it.No glory for bunt hits though unless it wins you a BA title.I was praying they resigned him now I could care less.We’ll never win with a player like that.We can finish 4th without him.
Many people,including myself have referenced the Williams .400 season.Ted Williams and that kind of attitude no longer exist unfortunately.Three out closers,DH’s and free agency did not exist in those days.The game Is played differently now,so I don’t think it’s fair to judge Jose by that standard.It was a meaningless game to both teams and the title could mean extra millions of dollars to Reyes in his new contract.Ask yourself honestly if you would have done the same thing if you were in Reyes shoes.He lead the league in hitting a good part of the season and went 7 for 11 in his last three games.If he wins the title,he deserves it.End of story.
i agree with everything you say except the extra money he’ll get as a batting champ. i don’t see how it gets him any more money – it’s not like nobody saw that he kind of backed into it. i’d laugh at the agent that tried to use that as an excuse to ask for more cash. The .337 average is the important thing, not that braun hit .336 or .338
Sigh, I guess I’m just “old School”.
Once a *******, always a *******….Typical classless Reyes move. Let’s go Braun!
you guys care about the stupidest things
I was just curious, I wonder what David Wright is having for dinner tonight?
Who cares? I mean really! Big deal, he took himself out of a game because he has an opportunity to win a batting title. It’s not like it was a do or die game. All players have put their own personal milestone in front of the team at one time or another in their career. It’s not the end of the world. Sure, I didn’t like it but, I am not going to kill him over it. Just my thoughts….
I agree with C.J. Wilson. Last time I checked the Mets were not in a pennant race, why couldn’t Reyes play the entire game? To me, just another clue that he doesn’t care about this franchise. I’m willing to be wrong, but that is just plain ridiculous.
I won’t say I’m rooting for Braun but Braun has more reason to sit tonight than Reyes does, and if he catches Jose then he deserves it!
Another POS Met fan right here. If this had been David Wright, you would be lap dancing his decision to remove himself from the game. Shame Wright will never have the TALENT to compete for a batting title.
Amazing how fans hate Reyes and love a total POS like Wright…INCREDIBLE
Hippocrate
why should he play the entire game? the game was meaningless. its good to get experience for young guys.
this is why ppl here dislike you sooo much jesseP. you’re the fakest mets fan there is out there, you and aggeee are the worst. didn’t pendlenton did the same? didn’t george brett do the same???? STFU for one, reyes, your 2011 BATTING CHAMPION.. suck on that ya loser!!!
by the way, the best closer in the game KIMBRELL AS YOU POINTED HIM OUT TO BE, BLEW THE GAME TO FINISH THE TANK JOB FOR THE BRAVES!!! Choke on that!!!!!
You and your cronies are too much, if this was Wright you’d be saying the same about him. You care more about the name Reyes then the name NY Mets cross his chest.
CONGRATULATIONS JOSE REYES IN BECOMING THE FIRST MET EVER TO WIN A BATTING CHAMPION. YOU WENT 7-11 THE LAST 3 GAMES OF THE SEASON TO OVERTAKE BRAUN WHO WERE LEADING THE NL BATTING AVG 333 TO 329. KUDOS TO YOU REYES FOR MAN UP AND ADMITING TO EVERYONE IT WAS YOU WHO TOLD COLLINS TO TAKE YOU OUT IF YOU GOT A HIT. IT IS WHAT IT IS, AT THE END OF THE DAY GUYS LIKE GEORGE BRETT (HOF) AND PENDLENTON DID THE SAME THING YOU DID AND PROB WORST AND SAT DOWN. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree – minus the ALL caps……..
Bernie Williams did it in 98 too
People need to realize this is good for the NY METS as well as Jose Reyes and what he did yesterday was no different than many have done in the past.
REMEMBER JOE D, RYAN BRAUN SAT DOWN AS WELL A FEW DAYS EARLIER TO PRESERVE HIS 0004 POINT LEAD, NOBODY COMPLAIN THEN, BUT SINCE IS REYES……….
but since Reyes is what?
I’m not defending Braun.A lot of people went there yesterday just to say him for maybe the last time.He didn’t have to walk off like that for a PR.He could’ve taken the field.Lots of players have done shit like this and I think that’s bullshit too.Compete.No way Beltran would walk off the field after one AB.Why do you think Braun took the high road yesterday? Because he sat too.
Don’t forget we went 3-6 the night before with 2 HR.
And also, that was a pretty sweet bunt.