The New York Mets took a chance on their former player, when seemingly he would be more trouble than help. It has paid off for both parties.
Jose Reyes seemingly was done, washed up as some would say. The Colorado Rockies no longer wanted a former star shortstop, possibly more having to do with the public relations disaster it would cause them than for baseball reasons.
Reyes was not looked at kindly in any aspect and rightfully so. The Mets believed he deserved a second chance, one that Jose will forever be grateful for.
“I remember I was at home on the phone with my agent asking, ‘Is this it for me?’” Reyes said. “I know people were angry with me. I didn’t know what was going to be next, maybe my time [in the major leagues] was over. I kept asking, ‘Did the Mets call?’ I was hoping they would.”
The Mets would go on to call, Reyes would find himself back with the team who signed him as an international free agent at the young age of 16. The organization looked at him as a member of their family who needed help, knowing they were the only ones who could provide it.
Reyes has rewarded them with everything he may possibly have left, providing a spark to this team when it was needed most. He has hit to a .267/.326/.443 battling line to go with eight homers and 24 RBI, while helping to produce 45 runs in just 60 games played. Reyes has also stolen nine bases since returning to New York.
He has manned the field well, spending most of his time at third base. Reyes has adjusted nicely in his return and could not be happier to be getting back to the postseason, especially with his old team.
“Nothing makes me happier than getting to the playoffs because it’s with the Mets,” Reyes said. “They gave me the chance; they believed in me. Every day I think, ‘Thank you to the Mets.’ ’’
The Mets took a flier on a player who was in need of a second chance. For Reyes and the Mets, it has worked out just about as well as anyone could have hoped.
