If Need Be, Jose Will Fight the Media

Cross Keith Hernandez off Jose Reyes' Christmas card list. The Mets shortstop and SNY Broadcaster almost got into blows on the team's charter flight to St. Louis over comments Hernandez made about Reyes on the air. During Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Yankees, Reyes slammed his glove to the ground after committing a throwing error, allowing Melky Cabrera to reach first base on a routine ground ball. This prompted Hernandez to make the comments the set Reyes off. "Well, he's got to get over that," Hernandez said at the time, according to one transcript of the broadcast. "Enough babying going on now. He's a grown man. He's been around a long enough time. Take off the kid gloves." After the game, Hernandez's comments got back to Reyes, who felt it best if he addressed it on the flight to St. Louis. While it is unknown what Reyes actually said, Hernandez reportedly responded: "I was just doing my job - you should do yours." Some reports say it escalated from there and both parties had to be restrained, others say it ended there. "He got his point [across] and I got mine." Reyes said, "I'm not too happy with the way he's been talking." Overall, this whole situation is really unnecessary, and Reyes' actions on the team's flight proved Hernandez's point. He needs to grow up. If he can't do it on his own the Mets need to step in and address it. Reyes' continuing comments seem to further prove Hernandez's analysis. "A lot of people told me, and that's no good. I was mad at myself because I make an error in that situation. It makes me mad, because [Hernandez] played the game, too. He knows it is not an easy game. And he knows when you make an error, you are supposed to feel bad." Jose does have a point. All players do get mad at themselves when they make an error. The difference is they have enough professionalism and maturity not to slam their glove to the ground. Reyes has the talent to be "the most exciting player in baseball," a label that was given to him during his breakout 2006 season, but his head and his immaturity consistently get in the way of that. From dancing in the dugout to pouting in the dugout, to fighting with the manager on the field, to now wanting to fight members of the media, Reyes is a one man sideshow. If some type of action isn't taken, it will eventually affect the Mets. They've had enough distractions this season, and don't need any more derailment.