After 16 seasons in the Major Leagues, shortstop Jose Reyes is calling it a career. Reyes came up with the Mets in 2003 and spent nine seasons with the team then made stops in Miami, Toronto and Colorado before returning to Flushing for the final three seasons of his career.
The Mets sent a brief press release honoring Reyes' legacy with the Mets and acknowledging the impact he had on the organization over the past two decades.
“José Reyes was without a doubt one of the most exciting players to ever wear a Mets uniform,” said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon on behalf of Ownership. "There wasn't a better sight for our fans than José pulling into third with a stand up triple. He came to us as a teenager and on the day of his retirement, we're certain Mets fans along with his entire Mets family wish him nothing but the best.”
Reyes was always a fan favorite at Shea Stadium and at Citi Field as his blazing speed along the basepaths was a sight to behold. Prior to MLB becoming an analytics-dominated sport, base stealing and speed were game-changers and Reyes was the impetus for a Mets ballclub that reached Game 7 of the NLCS in 2006. The Dominican-Born star noted that he never brought home a championship to Queens, but he shed light on the special connection he had to the Mets' fan base.
Reyes left the Mets after the 2011 season, a season he finished as the NL batting champ. No. 7 was miffed that the Mets didn't attempt to resign him as he joined the Marlins in free agency. The former leadoff man also ran into problems off the diamond as he was involved in a domestic dispute with his wife, but Reyes honored her in his farewell message by thanking her for standing by his side through thick and thin.
All told, Reyes appeard in 1,365 games with the Mets and had 5,931 plate appearances 1,534 hits, 885 runs scored, 108 homers, 112 triples, 521 RBIs, a .282 average, and .768 OPS.
Reyes will undoubtedly find his place in the Mets Hall of Fame and deserves serious consideration for a spot in Cooperstown.
0 comments:
Post a Comment