http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/535 Recent articles about Jose Reyes en-us Like La Russa said, it ain't the pen's fault. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 21:48:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295886 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295886 Who was more upset at Jose Reyes' celebratory trip around the bases: Ryan Madson (the pitcher who served it up) or Larry Anderson (former major league pitcher turned Phillies broadcaster)? Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:13:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295650 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295650 Reigning National League MVP Jimmy Rollins was benched Thursday for the second time this season by Phillies' manager Charlie Manuel. Rollins, instead of getting to Shea Stadium in Queens to finish off a three game set against the Mets with the rest of the Phillies in the team bus, opted to drive himself and arrived at the stadium after the designated 10 A.M. arrival time set by Manuel. The team bus also arrived to the stadium late, but still got there before their star shortstop. Rollins claimed that he was late because of traffic, which in all likelihood is most likely what happened. "I left ten minutes after the bus as usual but I just got stuck," Rollins said. "I can't change lights and stuff." Rollins was bench earlier this season mid-game for not running out a pop up, a move he agreed with. He does not agree with Manuel's decision to bench him this time. "We're not going to agree on this one," Rollins said. "We agreed last time but we're not going to agree on this one. He's the manager and he has to set a precedent with certain players and you're held up to higher rules. That's fine." Rollins was apparently late to a game one other time this season, but called Manuel to let him know and got off with a warning. Whether Rollins agrees with the decision or not, and whether he accepts the punishment (which he has) as a grown up or not, it does not appear to be having much of an affect on him. When Rollins was bench earlier this season for not running out the pop-up, we all hoped that it would light a fire under the struggling shortstop and motivate him to start playing harder, but all it did was make him run out pop-ups. Rollins still jogs out grounds outs and has been criticized numerous times this season for not running as hard on base hits as he should. Several times Rollins has strolled in second on a hit that, with his speed, could have easily been a triple. In a recent interview on the Comcast Sportsnet program Daily News Live, host Michael Barkan asked Phillies' second baseman Chase Utley which of his teammates is routinely late. After thinking for a few seconds Utley responded "Jimmy Rollins." According to many people who are around the club on a daily basis, Rollins usually arrives to the ball park right before he is required to. He does not appear to be a get there early, stay late kind of guy. It appears to me, and many of the Phillies' fans, that Rollins is mailing this season in. He doesn't feel the need to hustle every single play. He apparently doesn't think he needs extra time to work on his game, which has struggled this season. He still speeds around the bases, just not as fast. He still dazzles in the field, but has made a number of errors. He is the supposed leader of this team, but does not lead by example and apparently finds himself to be too good to ride with the team to the ballpark. I have been villified over the past couple days for attacking the character of Mets' star shortstop Jose Reyes for his immature and classless celebration antics. I am a firm believer in being fair and objective and I cannot question Reyes' character and then ignore the failings of my own team's star. Rollins, as the reigning MVP, has publicly taken up the mantle of the leader of this team, but has failed to act like the leader. I have no idea what Rollins is like behind closed doors, whether he is vocal amongst his teammates, encouraging them when they're struggling, yelling at them when they're slacking off. But I can't imagine it would do much good since Rollins himself appears to be aloof and slacking off. Team leaders need to lead by being vocal, but more importantly by example. I am as hard on Ryan Howard as anyone out there, but I was really impressed the other day when I saw him bust his hump down the line on a ground out that he had no chance of beating out without an errant throw on the play. Pat Burrell, who has had his fair share of struggles over his time with the Phillies, appears to be too laid back to be a vocal leader in the clubhouse, but absolutely leads by example. During his struggles from a couple years ago, Phillies fans were largely behind Pat because they saw how hard he worked at getting better. He was constantly working on his swing, seeking advice from anyone who could give it (which turns out was a big part of the problem), busting his butt every single day no matter how well he was doing. Fans love to see that a player is pissed at his manager for taking him out of the game like Burrell was after Sunday's loss to the Marlins. He was respectful and understanding of his shortcomings, but admitted that it angers him every time Manuel takes him out of the game in favor of a defensive replacement late in close games. Fans want a player with that fire, that drive, that hustle, and that desire. Jimmy Rollins is not the MVP this year. Jimmy Rollins is not the leader of this team. jimmy Rollins needs to prove me wrong. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:51:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295593 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295593 When Jose Reyes lifts his one finger in the air after putting his team up by three runs, it's called "showboating" and Philly announcers want someone to "put a ball in his neck." When Wright jumps up, pumps his fist and screams, no one even mentions it. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:43:46 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295454 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/295454 Welcome back, Billy Wagner. There were no ninth-inning meltdowns, fireworks or ulcers in last night's game. The Mets shrugged off Tuesday's loss by defeating the Phillies, 6-3, so routinely it seemed like an old Seattle Pilots–Washington Senators matchup. They're back in a tie for first place, and have an 8-4 record against the Phillies so far this season. Jose Reyes had the big blast, hitting a three-run homer (his 11th of the season) off Ryan Madson in the sixth, breaking a 3-3 tie. The Mets scored two runs in the first when Brett Myers walked four batters in a row and Marlon Anderson grounded out to drive in a run. They added a run in the third on a Damion Easley infield single (Easley had three infield hits, after getting hit by two pitches the night before?he's due to get struck by lightning today). Carlos Delgado (two walks, HBP, single) moved up in the order, batting cleanup. He was so happy that he logged an extra-long entry in his diary, even including a few smiley faces. And he taunted Carlos Beltran about it the whole game. Speaking of Beltran, why was he bunting in the eighth inning with runners on first and second and no outs? Swing the bat, Carlos. You're just leaving it to your teammates to get the job done (in this case, Robinson Cancel, who grounded out without getting a run home). In all, the Mets left 13 runners on base, and were three for 13 with runners in scoring position. They left the bases loaded in the third and seventh innings, and stranded runners on second and third in the eighth. They could have easily blown this game wide open. And Marlon Anderson looks completely dumbfounded at the plate, and he's so lost out in left field, on one fly ball he pulled a map out of his back pocket and asked a fan for directions to the ball. It was a nice, solid comeback game for John Maine. He went seven innings (for the first time since May 7th), giving up three runs, six hits, two walks and struck out five. His control was much better than in recent starts, as he attacked the strike zone all game. Myers, on the other hand, was all over the place, having no idea where the strike zone was. He only lasted five innings, walking five and giving up three runs. Maybe he was called up from the minors too soon?he's only 27, after all. Scott Schoeneweis and Joe Smith pitched a scoreless eighth. And Billy Wagner returned, putting the Mets bullpen world back on its axis. He threw a one-two-three ninth, and he and Delgado combined on a nice play at first to get Shane Victorino for the first out of the inning. The two teams are back at Shea this afternoon at 12:10 for the rubber match of the series. Jamie Moyer takes on Oliver Perez. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:36:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294895 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294895 Mets' shortstop Jose Reyes came through with a clutch three run home run off reliever Ryan Madson in Wednesday's game against the Phillies. It was a beautiful hit and probably the most important hit of the season for Reyes. Despite a very shaky outing by Phillies' starter Brett Myers, which included four walks in the first inning and the bases loaded twice, the Mets were only able to muster three runs against him. The game was tied at three when Madson relieved Myers to start the sixth inning. Madson gave up consecutive singles to Damion Easley and Brian Schneider. He then struck out the pitcher John Maine, which brought Reyes to the plate. Reyes then drove Madson's first pitch to right for his 11th homer of the season. As Reyes rounded the bases, he had his right index finger stuck up high in the air, waving it around. Upon reaching the Mets' dugout, Reyes did his arm waving, high fiving dance with a teammate. While I do not like the dancing in the dugout, I understand lots of players do it. It was an exciting hit and I don't fault him for celebrating with his team. What really bothers me is the waving of his finger around the bases, taunting the Phillies and their pitcher Ryan Madson. It is completely and unequivocally unacceptable and classless. An arm pump or two is one thing, but to celebrate the entire way around the bases is jive and immature. Not to mention that Reyes in large part contributed to his team's humiliating collapse from the night before. For those that didn't catch the game, in the ninth inning of Tuesday night's game with the bases loaded, Phillies' catcher Carlos Ruiz grounded to Reyes. Instead of flipping to the second baseman to start the double play, or throwing to first to get the sure out, Reyes tried to beat speedy Shane Victorino to second base and got there late. Everyone safe all around. Instead of having two outs and a man on third, there were no outs and the bases loaded. Pinch hitter So Taguchi then proceeded to hit a double, scoring Victorino and Gregg Dobbs, with Ruiz moving up to third. Everyone knows that the number of outs how many guys are on base and who those runners are will dictate how the pitcher approaches his batter. It is certainly not a foregone conclusion that Taguchi hits a double with only Ruiz at third. If Reyes doesn't blow the play then it might have been a completely different game. It takes a lot of balls, nerve, and a complete lack of respect, class, and humility to be showboating just the next day after you screwed up so royally the day before. Just as much to blame are the gutless Phillies. Instead of intentionally walking Reyes the following inning, the Phillies should have put him on notice that that kind of behavior would not be tolerated and beamed him in the ribs, or the back. Instead they allow him to dance and showboat like the immature four year old that he is and respond by not pitching around him. Thursday's starting pitcher Jamie Moyer, while not known as a hard thrower, has been around for almost 22 years and is from the old school. He should put Reyes on notice that that kind of behavior is not going to be tolerated by those players who are the symbol of class and tradition. Jose Reyes is an immature, jive, classless tool and he needs to be taught a lesson. If it's not the Phillies, then maybe it will be the Marlins, who have expressed a grave dislike and disgust with Reyes' behavior. Last year the Marlins were open about the fact that Reyes' cocky and immature behavior was the motivation they needed to keep the Mets out of the playoffs by beating them in the final series of the year. Reyes' behavior is going to eventually come back to bite him and the Mets right where it hurts. If not the Phillies or the Marlins, then it will eventually be some other team. Jose Reyes, look out. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:14:02 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294875 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294875 Jose Reyes really enjoyed his tie-breaking 3-run homer last night. Like finger-in-the-air-as-he-rounded-first, did-a-little-dance-on-his-way-into-the-dugout enjoyed it. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:58:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294807 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294807 Yesterday, I told the Mets to burn this image into their memory. I told them to use it as motivation for their games against Philadelphia and beyond. Well after Jose Reyes hit his three run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the Mets in the lead for good, Reyes showed his rebuttal to Jimmy Rollins' celebration. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:45:32 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294766 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294766 Bob Raissman has quotes from Fred Wilpon where he admits to screwing up the Willie Randolph firing. From Raissman: Fred Wilpon said he learned something from firing Willie Randolph. And it is this: The next time he fires a manager he'll do it in the light of day, when reporters are not sleeping. --- "I said (to Omar Minaya) 'When are you going to do this?' He said 'After the game (Mets-Angels, June 16).' I wasn't smart enough to say, 'And cut the New York press out of it?' I didn't even think of it," Wilpon said. "I screwed up." Great. Wonderful. Super. It took two months for this? I think this just makes the team look even worse than before. We knew you handled it poorly, you knew you handled it poorly, so coming out and saying it two months later makes you look like even bigger buffoons than before. Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:32:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294759 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294759 At some point being a "young player" isn't an excuse. At the same point in his career, Derek Jeter was onhis way to his fourth title. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:22:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294544 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294544 I just wanted to take a moment and personally thank Jerry Manuel on behalf of every Phillies fan out there for taking Johan Santana out of last night's game. Santana was cruising along last night in complete control of the game. Through eight innings (105 pitches) he had given up eight hits but only two runs. The Phillies just could not get anything going and looked dead. Then the Mets' manager decided to do the Phils a favor and didn't bring Santana back in to finish out the game in the ninth inning, instead opting for Duaner Sanchez. The Mets were up 5-2 at that point and the Phillies had appeared so lifeless all game, I for one wasn't optimistic they were going to be able score no matter who was on the mound. Sanchez then loaded the bases without getting a single out. So long Sanchez (0.0 IP, 3 ER, INF ERA). In comes Joe Smith. With the bases loaded and Carlos Ruiz at bat, I was sure we were about to see a game ending triple play. I've said repeatedly that the best way to get the Phillies out is to let them load the bases and Ruiz has become known as the "Rally Killer" among the Phillies' faithful. Little did I know but the Mets' pitching was so bad last night that they actually allowed Ruiz to not only not hit into a triple play (although let me be fair here, Ruiz tried very hard to hit into a double play, but was helped out by a showboating Jose Reyes who tried to make the out at second all by himself and failed), but allowed him to get his second hit of the game. That's right. As soon as Ruiz got his second hit (and even an RBI!) I knew the game was in the bag. Smith (0.0 IP, 1 ER, INF ERA) exits stage right. In comes Pedro Feliciano. The other indication that the game was in the bag for Phils? So Taguchi not only got a hit, but drove in two runs to tie the game at 5. Ruiz and Taguchi, an unbeatable combination. After giving up the game tying hit to Taguchi, Feliciano gave up a double to Jimmy Rollins, scoring both Ruiz and Taguchi. Chase Utley would then ground out, moving Rollins to third. Pat Burrell is intentionally walked, then Ryan Howard grounded out to the pitcher, scoring Rollins. Out goes Feliciano (0.2 IP, 2 ER, 90.00 ERA). In comes Aaron Heilman who would eventually get the final out with no more damage done. Johan Santana: 8 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2.25 ERA Mets' Bullpen: 1 IP, 5 H, 6 ER, 54.00 ERA Thank you Jerry Manuel. ShareThis Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:00:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294364 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294364 There are two sides to every coin. On one hand, I leave Johan Santana out there for the 9th inning to work his magic. That's why he's getting the big bucks. On the flip-side, I can see why you don't want to run your "ace" out there and run up his pitch count, especially with Pedro Martinez ailing. But, your closer is unavailable, and no one has really shone through as a viable replacement. Why not give Santana a shot? Maybe you keep him on a very short least, if he gives up a hit or two, you yank him. Easy as that. Just have the bullpen ready to go as soon as possible. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:55:08 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294199 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294199 Joe Blanton makes his pitching debut for the Phillies and gave up 2 HR's early and the Mets controlled the game. Down 5-2 heading to the 9th the Phillies looked dead. Yeah right! A six run inning put the Phillies up 8-5. J-Roll coming up clutch with a 2-run double to put the Phillies up and they never looked back. The Mets were able to score one run in the bottom of the 9th but Brad Lidge got his 22nd consecutive save to keep the Phillies 1 game up in the NL East race. TAKE THAT NEW YORK! Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:32:15 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294095 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294095 Don't look now but the streaking New York Mets have not only climbed back in to the National League East pennant race, but have forged a tie with the Philadelphia Phillies. The slumping Phillies now have a three game set with the Mets starting Tuesday with first place on the line. Philadelphia has been fading fast as they have lost 20 of their last 34 games. www.rawsportsblog.com Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:20:36 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293280 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293280 Screaming Sports' Billy Smith break out MLB Buy 'n Sell and runs down a short list of players you should be buying or selling. Kyle Loshe? Believe it or not, it's time to sell. Jose Reyes? Grab him while he's hot! Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:26:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293137 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293137