First off I would like to congratulate Jose Reyes on becoming the first Mets player to ever win a batting title. I may not be totally happy with the way that his final at bat of the season play out, but at least I can say with pride that I was there.
Yesterday was a day full of mixed emotions for both my wife and I. We got to Citi Field just before security started letting the 15-20 thousand Mets and Reds fans enter the soon to be dormant stadium. We went to the Mets store in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, which surprisingly did not have many products to sell. I mean yes they had the usual bric brac- dog bowls toasters t-shirts etc, but there were hardly any player jerseys on display for purchase. It was the same story at the team store on the Field Level.
At around noon we met up with fellow die hard fans, @MetsFanRich from Twitter, marathon runner ( and Tug McGraw Race For A Cure booster), Sharon Chapman, my fellow displaced Brooklynite ( and now fellow Staten Islander), Steve Keane, Randy Levine from Read the Apple , Metstradamus, as well as power couple Taryn Cooper and husband Ed Leyro ( from A Gal for All Seasons and Studius Metsimus blogs respectively).
We discussed the events of the day. Whether we felt Jose would be back ( consensus was no – even though we hope that we are wrong), How the recent ruling on the clawback ruling (hoping that the Wilpons are still forced to sell), and who we predict will stay and go ( Pelf will most likely stay – Angel Pagan – not so sure). At around 12:45 our little summit broke off and we hugged and said goodbye for the last time this season so we could make it to our seats in time for the first pitch.
There was a beautiful tribute for Pete Flynn- Citi Field head groundskeeper, and Mets staple for 50 years. They feted him with a nice retirement ceremony which crescendoed with his throwing out the first pitch of the game as well as a video presentation on the Diamond Vision.
I wouldn’t say I was rooting for a Mets win – that is all well and good, but when there is nothing left to fight for the feeling is moot. Instead I was hoping for closure to a season that had some exciting moments as well as it’s share of games that made you want to curl into the fetal position. It was nice to see Miguel Batista throw a two hit shutout. I think that it is a safe bet that he will not be back next season.
I do believe that the crowd of 15 thousand ( officially the number was around 20 thousand but I know that was not the case) to see Jose Reyes in which was possibly his last wearing the Orange and Blue. We serenaded him with in 15k harmony with the Jose song. After we booed his early exit for the game , we chanted his name until we received a well deserved curtain call from him.
After Jose left the game I started to feel numb. It was like when I was 6 years old and my parent divorced – I lost my innocence again at age 39. Yes this has happened to me many times before – It happened with Piazza, it happened with Maz and it happened with Rusty. The difference is that I watched Jose come up as a rookie in ’03, I saw him mature as a player, He is along with Wright the face of this franchise. To know that it is highly likely that he might not be back next season bothers me. But I know baseball is more of a business then a game these days. Players want to be paid, and sometimes in order to fulfill their egos they go to where the highest bidder is – instead of staying in a place that has been their home for a better part of a decade.
On the way home I had to turn off the radio. Francesa was vilifying Reyes for not playing the whole game. Francesa is entitled to his opinions, but can’t he just for once let a Mets fans bask in a ray of sunshine – as fleeting it might be !?!
All I can say is that I am looking forward to this off season. I am hoping that the rumors that the payroll dipping under 100 million prove to be false, but even if it does, I will still be a Mets fan. I am just hoping I will be cheering Jose on when he tries to win a second straight batting title – in a Mets uniform.
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
One time (and possibly future ?) Mets reliever, Heath Bell is 34 (1977).
Sadly on this date in 1975, the Mets lost one of the most iconic personalities in their history when original manager, Casey Stengel passed away.
The New York Mets released utility man, Jeff McKnight on September 29, 1989. He would re-sign with the Mets just after the ’91 season ended and played with the Mets until 1994 .
The New York Mets released middle reliever, Mike Draper on September 29, 1993. Draper pitched in 29 games for the Mets that season. He had a record of 1-1with a E.R.A of 4.25
The Mets granted reserve outfielder, Brady Clark free agency on September 29, 2008.
The Mets granted reserve outfielder, Chris Aguila free agency on September 29, 2008. His Mets career lasted a whole 8 games in which he batted a paltry .167.
Mo Vaughn has decided to take a small vacation to get away from it all. Rumor has it he is heading to Tibet to figure out the meaning of life under the tutelage of none other than Sidd Finch !
19 comments
Anonymous
9/29/2011-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
no, he can’t possibly let Met fans enjoy something. If they don’t get upset, they don’t call!
as to Reyes, players come and players go (and they all, eventually, go). But the team continues on.
If one of your favorites go, it is like losing a pet. You mourn, and eventually get a new one to love (adopt Duda. He seems like a nice guy!)
And don’t waste too much time hoping the owners are going. You could be sorely disappointed. But look at the bright side, in a few years Fred and Saul will be dead or retired, and Jeffy and his generation (some deadbeat cousins?) will be running the show, and that should not take long to flame out!
Tonylettich
9/29/2011-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
Reyes is my 2nd All-Time favorite Met after Maz….That said, I’m
Okay with him leaving at this point. We’ve had plenty of time to
prepare and understand that this is the likelyhood. Further, as
much as I love Reyes I don’t think he’ll ever be worth 100 Million
And it’s obvious he’s been protecting himself from add’l injury hence
no running game. You can’t be payin’ Reyes that type of money unless ya know he’s gonna steal 60,70,80 bases a yr.
Also, look what Boston got from Crawford (a huge favorite of mine)
for that type of money…AND…Look at how Tampa’s been able to move on from Crawford, the greatest player in their short history.
Truely unlike Hoops this game isn’t about building around a single superstar…..Other wise The Giants would have one every year during Bonds’ steroid run.
Anonymous
9/29/2011-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
I do agree that the recurrent hammy issues are a concern. Still, it really is a bummer that we end up paying so much attention to the money aspect. It would be nice to just make a decision purely on putting the best talent on the field.
My real wonder though is what they do when (if) he leaves? Go total rebuild (tejada and havens up the middle?) Get a stop-gap vet SS for 1 year? Swing some trades to get a real replacement in? Invest the $$ in SP (Wilson)?
And of course the big domino, if Reyes goes, do they bite the bullet and take the hit on Wright too? Might as well at that point!
Tony
9/29/2011-12:32pm at 12:32 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I think for the right price (no pun) I’d move on from Wright as well. In what should be his prime yrs
he’s clearly not the player he was AND I think has
proven hes not the type of Star who can carry a team. Before that though I’d do whatever I could to move Bay and the rest of his contract. I think Tejada
has shown he’s likely a very solid MLB middle infielder if not an AllStar type. Lastly, if there is money to spend in NOT signing Reyes I’d rather
overpay for Pitching. Agreed though, It stinks that
the main factor in not signing Jose will be the fact that crazyass owner will give him 100Mil.
But such is life……….
MetsFan4Decades
9/29/2011-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
I’m willing to bet if Reyes walks, Tejada is the 2012 opening day SS.
I would also be surprised if it’s anyone else but Wright patrolling 3rd base come opening day.
Come mid season, it’s anyone’s guess. One thing I’ve noticed this past year is Sandy does not talk in circles, nor out of both sides of his mouth so what we’ve heard from him, you can pretty much be assured that’s his plan for the moment.
It’s what we haven’t heard that will be interesting.
I’m thinking the odds for resigning Reyes are worse than 50/50.
Anonymous
9/29/2011-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
key phrase there: at the moment. and yeah, the unsaid part is huge.
Plus, while some of the idjits (like your good buddies Bayonne and Alex over at MMO) scream “liar” if Sandy says something then does something else, situations change. And with that, plans have to change too (and this is something I don’t think Omar was good at).
and 1 personnel move differnet can start a whole lot of different dominos to fall. So while today he might expect to go 1 direction, by December he could be down a totally different path.
I had this conversation a number of times with TRS, but you need to take what the market gives you (to a degree) and not try to force a move. That’s how you end up with an Ollie (“having to get a FA SP, and he was the “best” available, so you overpay).
If pitching is dear, load up on offense. and vice versa. We both thought they should have been all-in on Teixara when he was a FA, since he could have been a cornerstone for years to come. They could have found something to do with Delgado on the last year of his deal.
MetsFan4Decades
9/29/2011-3:10pm at 3:10 pm (UTC -4)
Some of those over at MMO are just looking for any excuse to rip this new FO. I long since stopped paying attention to that drivel. Someone actually posted:
Omar 1, Sandy 0.
At the moment….you’re right. Someone calls up and offers Sandy something he’d be a fool to turn down for say Wright, that might start off a whole chain reaction of moves.
We’ll just have to wait and see what he’s actually got up his sleeve for this off season.
MFS71
9/29/2011-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
I know I’m in the minority, but I don’t at all get any sense that the Reyes’ situation has changed from when many of us fans thought he’d re-sign. I honestly don’t share this overwhelming sense of pessimism. I think he’ll be back in a Mets uniform next year.
Anonymous
9/29/2011-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
we should know soon. If nothing else, I don’t expect it to drag on into the new year like some FA deals do.
I do believe Sandy when he said they need to know pretty quickly if he is coming back, or they are moving on.
MetsFan4Decades
9/29/2011-12:47pm at 12:47 pm (UTC -4)
Another season comes to a close – one that sees our Mets going home instead of playing into October.
Congrats to Jose Reyes for winning the NL batting title. I honestly could care less that he wanted to come out after that bunt single in the 1st. We’re talking about not taking another 2 at bats in the last game of a 162 game season. Can’t believe how much complaining I’m hearing/reading about this in the media and by some fans. Reyes isn’t the first and won’t be the last. There was much jockeying this week by managers, SP staffs, BPs, lineups, etc. for contending teams to gain every advantage they could for post season – to win a WS. So winning an individual player award is that much different? Really?
On to the off season, winter meetings, hot stove and the like for Sandy and the troops. Here’s hoping they put together a stronger team for ’12 and beyond, one we can hopefully be watching compete for years to come.
Anonymous
9/29/2011-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
I hope there is a whole lot more wheeling and dealing this off season. I honestly expected a lot more last year.
But, they have seen the team and the farm for a year, and have had plenty of time to decide who’s a keeper and who’s expendable. So time to start making moves, and not just picking up scrap heap guys.
Trades baby trades!
Anonymous
9/29/2011-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
To the fans who were there, sorry he only played the 1st inning, but Congratulations to the 2011 NL batting Champion Jose Reyes of the NY Mets! To MLB, Thanks for the single best night of baseball I’ve EVER seen in my life. Congrats to the Cards and the Rays! See you all next year! Let’s go Mets!
Taryn Cooper
9/29/2011-3:32pm at 3:32 pm (UTC -4)
It was nauseating and perhaps not surprising whatsoever to see Mets fans reacting the way they did towards Jose bunting for what could potentially be his last AB in a Mets uniform, but also for his status in the batting title race. It pissed me off to see so many people suggest that he didn’t “earn” it, that he didn’t do it the “right way,” but as you know and mentioned here Rusty Jr, that baseball is much different than it used to be. People bring up Williams, Ripken, Gwynn, as guys who would be out there till the bitter end. Fact is, it’s not like that and Reyes went 7-for-11 in this series, hit two HRs the night before, played in a 13 inning game as well, and still Mets fans can’t see the forest for the trees and just enjoy the fact that one of our players (a beloved one, at that) earned a significant accomplishment. Sure, let’s throw away his performance the entire season! Let’s toss away the fact that he was injured twice! He came out in a meaningless game after he got a hit! BOO HOO! I’m with you Rusty, I was sad to see him leave, I really hoped he’d go out to his position and then Terry would take him out. I feel we didn’t give him the proper ovation because a lot of people didn’t even realize it. Ah well. Hopefully, we’ll be able to give him a good ovation OD in 2012.
SaltyGary
9/29/2011-4:40pm at 4:40 pm (UTC -4)
Here’s the difference. If he played the game or at least 7 innings, whatever, this wouldn’t be a story. He would of gotten a batting title, Yah!!! Instead he made it a story. Aren’t you tired of these stories? It’s not some media fabricated event, he created it.
For me personally I feel it showed a lack of integrity, but that is something he will have to deal with not me. I’m actually more disappointed that he didn’t stay out for people like you that went to the game and want to get a experience out of it. In the end he just wanted to bolster his free agency resume and didn’t care who was there to cheer him on. In the end I wouldn’t expect any different from any other player, I just wish it ended differently.
Anonymous
9/29/2011-8:21pm at 8:21 pm (UTC -4)
I refer you to the following websites:
http://boards.straightdope.com...
http://wso.williams.edu/~jkoss...
As you can see from this blog and article what Reyes did is not without precedent. Old time integrity in baseball???? Surely these people that refer to it jest!!!
Mr North Jersey
9/29/2011-3:50pm at 3:50 pm (UTC -4)
Nice post Rusty and also congrats Reyes on being the 1st Met to ever win a batting title.
Julie
9/29/2011-6:54pm at 6:54 pm (UTC -4)
Obviously I can’t make many Mets games since I’ve moved from NY, but watching the game on TV made me really want to be there. The season wasn’t as bad as some of the previous. I think next year will be OK. I’ll be ready when it comes.
Anonymous
9/29/2011-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
Rusty I’m not surprised that Fat Mike was all over Reyes. Since I don’t listen to that pompous jackass I don’t know if this was the case but I wouldn’t be surprised if he gave his beloved Yankees a pass even though the Yankees played essentially chopped liver in their games against the Rays. BTW The same baseball tradition BS they invoke in the Reyes situation also says that a team that has either clinched a post season berth or has been eliminated play their best lineup against other teams vying for a post season position.
Paul J. Festa
9/30/2011-4:09pm at 4:09 pm (UTC -4)
Nice post. And I’m glad they paid tribute to Pete Flynn. He’s as much a part of Mets history as anyone.