Thursday, September 29, 2011

Another Imperfect Sports Hero

I never had the Mr Perfect types like Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Nolan Ryan, Tony Gywnn as my sports hero's. Instead I've had the very morally flawed Keith Hernandez, Mark Gastineau, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, Randy "Macho Man" Savage, and Benard King's of the world as "my sports guy/idol". There is a lesson to learn in that, as true hero's http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2011/06/true-bravery-chris-edwards.htmlshould are found outside of sports.
Jose Reyes definitely falls into the category of imperfect types. Everyone knows Jose plays "loco" style and his on field celebration/act (hot dog) annoys the other team, but I

have been one of his staunches defenders over the years b/c of his talent, passion for the game, energy, and the fact he has never been an off the field problem (good/nice guy). However, on what could quite possibly be his last day as a Met and the day he achieved  his greatest personal achievement - Batting Champion - he disappointed me and all Met fans.
Reyes asked out of the game in the bottom of the 1st after leading of the game with a bunt single that virtually assured him of a batting title. I love Reyes, as he is by far and away my favorite Met, but this wrong on so many levels. 
#1 It makes him look selfish
#2 The Only reason any Met fan went to a game these last 2 months was to see him play.
Evidence of that is this video of the game I went to on Tuesday and sat their for 13 fucking innings to watch him play brilliantly


b/c I knew this might be it for him in NY. Yesterday's Reyes decision (modern ball player) goes to show you that sports is a business were statistics, awards, and money always take a back seat to the fan.

Losing Reyes for Met fans will be the worse free agent loss since Strawberry 21 years ago (Darryl was better but Jose nicer guy) and like Strawberry his replacement will take years to find. Despite this incident and his flaws I hope we can keep him as he is part of the solution not he problem.. even though he is not perfect by nay stretch of the imagination

2 comments:

  1. This is so overblown. Would you have liked to see him play it out? Sure. Who wouldn't. A selfish player? Come on! He carried this team when all the others went down. The man had an amazing season, whether he took 3 more at bats or not. He did what he thought he had to do to win the title. And man, after almost 50 years, its about time the Mets had a batting title leader. No *, just an awesome season by a talented player. No, of course he isn't Jeter, or Ted Williams, and I agree that the fans that day had a right to feel shorted, but at the end of the day, He is a great player who had a career year, and I hope he's right back there in April. -Chuck

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  2. How do put Bernard King in the same group as those gambling crackheads?

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