Former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes officially announces his retirement
Mets shortstop Jose Reyes acknowledges fans as he is taken out of a game against the Marlins at the start of the second inning at Citi Field on Sept. 30, 2018. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Jose Reyes, who the Mets at one time expected to twin with David Wright to form the cornerstone of a perennial contender, announced that he is officially retiring from baseball in a social media post on Wednesday.
Reyes came up with the Mets in 2003 and played with them the first nine seasons of his career, four times earning all-star honors and three times leading the league in stolen bases. He also played the last three of his 16 seasons for the Mets. He last played in 2018.
“I want to thank the New York Mets for giving me the chance to become a professional baseball player and for brining me back at the end of my career,” he said in his dispatch.
Reyes is the franchise’s all-time leader in stolen bases (408) and triples (113) and ranks behind only Wright in hits (1534) and runs (885).
“Mets fans, what can I say? We never got the ring we hoped we would get but I can’t imagine playing in front of any better fans in the whole world,” Reyes said in his post. “Your passion and energy always lifted me higher and for that I will always be grateful.”
“José Reyes was without a doubt one of the most exciting players to ever wear a Mets uniform,” Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said in an ownership statement. “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.”
Alonso warming up at plate
Pete Alonso, the 2019 NL Rookie of the Year, turned the page on a bad first five games where he batted .100 with a 4-for-4 night. He said it was “100%” the best he’s felt at the plate this season is “looking forward to having the same feeling tomorrow.”
“I committed myself and being really disciplined and only making swings in a certain zone today,” he said. “I feel like it really paid off because it helped my overall plate coverage on tough pitches. It helps me to not chase and see the ball better.”
Extra bases
David Peterson’s impressive Mets debut has earned him another turn in the starting rotation. The lefthander, the club’s No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, allowed just two runs over 5 2/3 innings. His next scheduled start would be Sunday in Atlanta. . . . Marcus Stroman, out with a torn calf, is throwing what manager Luis Rojas called “full-tilt bullpens” in the 80-pitch range and remains week-to-week as he cannot yet run enough to field his position. . . . The Mets place Jake Marisnick on the IL with a left hamstring strain and brought up Ryan Cordell. . . . Reliever Robert Gsellman, out with triceps discomfort, won’t come off the IL on Thursday when he is eligible, but isn’t far off, according to Rojas. He will begin throwing to hitters soon.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
