Yardbarker: Jose Reyes

An Open Letter To Jerry Manuel

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:20:26 -0500

Dear Jerry, Congratulations on your recent promotion to manager of the New York Mets. I have already said a prayer for you and I will be sure to light a candle for you on Sunday as well. You probably have already been warned about staying on Tony Bernazard's good side, and going to the SNY Gift shop and loading up on Loudmouths T-shirts and an SNY cap to wear at all times when you're not in a Mets uniform. However, those things alone may not be enough to enhance your job securi...

Jerry Manuel: Gangster

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:21:28 -0500

The initial reaction when it was announced that Jerry Manuel would take over the managerial reins of the Mets was that he's just like Willie Randolph. Just more of the same old, same old. Is this move really going to change anything? Manuel may be laid-back like Randolph, but he's already proven that he's no pushover. He may be nice but he's tough (hey, he calls himself a gangster). He takes his role as the authority seriously. His first test came only one play into his first game at the helm. When Jose Reyes threw his tantrum, Manuel dealt with it right away, going down into the clubhouse to confront the shortstop. He didn't have to bench Reyes the next game because the problem was already solved by the fourth inning. And Manuel insisted it will not happen again because he (jokingly) said he would pull out his blade and cut Reyes. To be honest, there just aren't enough stabbings in the Major Leagues these days. The former infielder (Detroit, Montreal, San Diego; 1975?82) managed the White Sox for six seasons, from 1998?03, and compiled a .516 winning percentage. He won the American League Manager of the Year award in 2000, leading Chicago to the Central Division title (but were swept by Seattle in the opening round of the playoffs). Further proof that he's not a clone of his predecessor is the number of times he's been ejected as a manager: 19. That number includes a whopping 10 times in 2003. Willie didn't even argue 19 times in his managerial career let alone get thrown out of a game (he may have fallen asleep in the dugout that many times, though). Manuel has shown a breeziness with the media that Randolph never had (with the exception being the former manager's last weekend when the Grim Reaper was hanging over his head). Whether he's joking that he has one foot on the top step of the dugout before the game even starts when Oliver Perez is pitching or threatening to stab his star shortstop, he's already given us more one-liners than Randolph and Art Howe had in five-and-a-half years. And for an interim manager, he's quickly proclaimed a number of changes and ideas that he'd like to implement?occasionally using the two hole in the lineup to insert a struggling player so he'll see more fastballs, having more defined roles in the bullpen, and resting his starters more so they'll be fresher, creating an atmosphere more conducive to success (and he wants to try and rest them on the road, so the fans at Shea can see them every home game?should he really be worrying about things like that, though?). Maybe Jerry Manuel will give the team a fresh outlook and create a better atmosphere and culture for the team. Maybe they can compete for a playoff spot. Or maybe this group of players just can't get it done. But Manuel has given the team and their fans some hope. He may not be a gangster but he's not Willie Randolph, either.

Metropolitan Gangster

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:54:35 -0500

With Jerry Manuel giving out this absolutely fantastic quote today, what's the over/under on blogs that post something strikingly similar to this poster below? I'm going to go with 100 and I think I'm being conservative.

Mets Prepare For Manuel Labor

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:15:35 -0500

There's a new sheriff in Flushing. Jerry Manuel is set on getting the Mets back in the race.

Jose Reyes - He's No Jimmy Rollins…

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:01:36 -0500

The New York Mets continue to try and challenge the Knicks for the title of most dysfunctional team in New York. A day after firing manager Willie Randolph, Jose Reyes is making his own headlines by throwing a tantrum in Anaheim. After leading off the game with a single, Reyes appeared to be walking a little gingerly around the first base bag. Interim manager Jerry Manuel (no relation to Charlie), went to see how Reyes was and as a precautionary measure, opted to remove him from the game. Well that apparently wasn't acceptable to "the most exciting player in baseball," as Reyes initially walked away from Manuel (he played the "if I ignore him he'll leave me alone" card), then followed by yelling at Manuel on the field (playing the "don't you know who I am" card), and finally throwing his helmet at the dugout (the "I lost this round, but I'm not happy about it" card). Completely embarrassing

Jose Being Jose | The Handshakes Are Back!

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:04:47 -0500

Mets fans are cautiously optimistic that the recent performance of their shortstop might represent the return of the old Jose Reyes. The Jose Reyes that dazzled with his bat, his speed, and his boundless enthusiasm. Jose is 6-for-9 with 3 singles, a double, a triple, and a home run in two games against the Washington Nationals this week. If the Jose that fans came to know and love has indeed returned to Shea Stadium, evidently we owe it all to Carlos Beltran. No joke. Could it be that Carlos is actually embracing a leadership role on this club to go along with his $18 million paycheck? Via the New York Post: "The discussion came before Tuesday's game against the Nationals. Carlos Beltran initiated it with Jose Reyes, and because of it things may have changed with this team. Beltran approached Reyes on Tuesday and delivered this message - be yourself. Beltran said he believed Reyes was unhappy, and he told him that he needed to get back to being his exuberant self."

You make the call: Reyes out at home?

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:58:35 -0500

Watch the replay below of the supposed game-winning run scored by Jose Reyes. Did Chris Coste tag him before he touched the plate? Looking at the slow motion replay in the clip, I think it's close, but I really don't see Reyes touching the plate at all.

WEEKLY WILLIE RANDOLPH WATCH LIST

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:41:05 -0500

I am not saying the Mets need to fire Willie Randolph if they lose the next two games to the Phillies, but I just feel like I'm watching the same bad movie, night in and night out, and Willie's lack of change is something that needs to be monitored.

Fantasy Baseball's Average Draft Report

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 07:44:36 -0500

One of the best tools I like to pimp here at FantasyBaseballGuy.com is the Average Draft Position (ADP) Report from both Mock and Live Drafts. The ADP Report looks at drafts and breaks down for you where Fantasy Owners are selecting certain players. It's a great indicator as to how your Fantasy Baseball Draft will play out.

Mets Willing To Trade Reyes For Johan?

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:23:13 -0500

I'm in favor of any deal that prevents the picture below from becoming a reality.

Up Your Nose With a Rubber Hose Reyes

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 19:23:35 -0500

Hanley Ramirez is going to need to make some more room on his trophy shelf because more and more are going to start rolling in. Let's start with his most recent award, voted by his peers as The Sporting News' top shortstop in the National League. In 2007 he batted .332 with 29 home runs, 81 RBIs, 51 stolen bases and a franchise-record 125 runs scored. Hanley had a message for all his peers who voted him as the best shortstop… "I want to thank the players. There are a lo...

Jose Reyes: Total Disregard For the Pick-Off Attempt

Sun, 26 Aug 2007 14:14:26 -0500

Schooled by the Man of Steal himself, the sneaky, switch-hitting shortstop stole his 20th bag of August and 70th of the season Saturday night against the Dodgers in the top of the third, once again challenging a steady defensive catcher and his lefty starter.

Reyes Shines

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:01:59 -0500

Last night Jose Reyes showed the world what he shows Mets fans on a daily basis, and what they can expect to see in All-Star games for years to come. Reyes put together an MVP-type performance, causing Tony La Russa to forget about his other shortstop, the Brewers J.J. Hardy, until the ninth inning.

Stolen Base: Where have you gone?

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:24:02 -0500

The stolen base is the most exciting play in baseball. Why aren't managers using it more?

Jose Reyes vs. Hanley Ramirez

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 22:07:23 -0500

Let the debate begin. Reyes gets more press playing in the Big Apple, but his numbers are very similar to those of Ramirez. Reyes is an absolute monster on the basepaths, but Reyes might swing a bigger bat. Who would you rather have?