It was pretty obvious that just before the 2011 season met it’s conclusion, Jose Reyes Mets career was coming to a close. Jose was having the best season of his career – albeit he re-injured his hamstring right after the All-Star break, but anyone who knows anything about baseball knew Jose was going to be paid well – no matter who signed him.
When Reyes finally did sign with the Marlins for 6 years and 106 million dollars, there was a big outcry by a big cross section of the Mets fan base. There were talks of boycotting the team, and bellyaching that this team would ascend into a death spiral.
But there was one thing the Mets fans and sports media overlooked – Ruben Tejada. Yes Ruben is not a bundle of kinetic energy like Jose is (was) . He is not a slick fielder – nor will he ever wow you with his speed. But Tejada like Reyes is a gamer. He doesn’t give up on balls that may appear to be out of his reach, and he is very patient at the plate ( unlike Jose).
Ruben as of yesterdays game is batting a gaudy .327 with 12 RBIs – and he’s been on a tear since coming off the disabled List. Yesterday’s ninth inning highlight reel caliber catch saved the Mets from blowing a second straight game to the floundering Cubs. He has jelled with Daniel Murphy into a exciting double play combination, and he is proving to be more Jose Reyes than Rafael Santana.
Oh yeah, for those of you who haven’t been reading the box scores, Jose Reyes is batting .266 with 3 homers and just 22 RBIs.
Jose Who indeed !
And with that said… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
The third man to ever manage the Mets, Salty Parker would have been 99 today (1913) .
Spot starter/middle reliever from the ’64-’65 seasons, Gary Kroll is 71 (1941)
Middle reliever from the ’76 and ’76 seasons, Ken Sanders is 71 (1941) .
The New York Mets traded spot starter/middle reliever, Frank Lary to the Chicago White Sox for back up catcher, Jimmie Schaffer on July 8, 1965.
The New York Mets released reserve outfielder, John Cangelosi on July 8, 1994.
When asked what he thought about Ruben, Mo Vaughn said he loves a good Ruben SANDWHICH !!!!!
4 comments
srt
7/8/2012-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
I will confess to being one of those Met fans who really wanted Jose signed. Not that I didn’t like Rubin, but more like I loved Jose.
Now? I’ve completely changed my mind. I’m glad we didn’t spend over 100 million to retain Jose – and I love Rubin. The kid is so impressive with his demeanor and baseball IQ for someone that young. Also, he’s hitting better and getting on base more than I could have ever hoped.
Long live Muscles (as some of us have dubbed him) – in orange and blue.
srt
7/8/2012-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
Oh, and on MLB’s Quick Pitch from yesterday’s games……..Ruben’s 9th inning catch was the Premier Play of the Day.
NJstuckinTX
7/8/2012-12:09pm at 12:09 pm (UTC -4)
He certainly has shown he is more than an adequate replacement for sure.
kingman 26
7/8/2012-12:57pm at 12:57 pm (UTC -4)
I followed Jose from the early minor league days, and wanted him back, but definitely not for 100+ million–crazy contract, which is already being illustrated with his dramatically reduced production this year.
Tejada is such a solid player, is so serious, and has improved so much that it seems right now like he could really be a .300/.360 guy with a lot of doubles, which would be absolutely great.