Move over, Derek Jeter [Jose Reyes Article]
Posted: Mon May 7, 2007 3:13 am
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Meet Jose Reyes, baseball player.
With future Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz starting to fade and the Braves holding a one-run lead in the sixth inning on this particular Sunday, the Atlanta ace digs in to try and retire Mets shortstop and leadoff hitter Jose Reyes.
The bases are loaded. There are two outs. Over fifty-five thousand rabid Shea fans sense blood and let loose with their signature roar: "Jo-se, Jo-se, Jo-se, Jo-se!" El Chombo's "Chacarron" - one of several Reyes at-bat anthems and certainly the funniest - blares over the stadium speakers.
Smoltz fires one pitch. Reyes smokes it into right field.
Before Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur can blink, Reyes has a stand-up triple, clearing the bases and putting the Mets ahead for the first time all game (they would eventually lose 9-6). Reyes nearly runs over third baseman Chipper Jones as he rounds the base and briefly considers a dash for home plate before clapping his hands. Reyes finishes April with a .356 average, 17 stolen bases, five triples and NL Player of the Month honors.
"I just try to do my job," says Reyes. "Try to put this team in position to win."
"He can change the complexion of a game by himself," says Mets manager Willie Randolph.