The Mets may not have had any legitimate intention of re-signing Jose Reyes when the 2011 season came to a close, but it appears they want to remain friends with him. Reyes broke into the majors with the Mets in 2003 and gave them nine quality seasons, but they could not find the justification nor the finances to retain him. Reyes said he was upset the Mets never even made him a competitive offer, but the team is hoping to erase some of those memories by honoring their former shortstop with a video tribute.
According to the NY Daily News, the Mets have complied a highlight video from the nine years Reyes spent with the team that they will play prior to New York’s game against the Marlins at Citi Field on April 23.
Many are wondering how Reyes will be received when he makes his return to New York in a Marlins uniform. While there are always going to be a few fans that consider every player who leaves via free agency a back-stabber, I don’t see how Mets fans could do anything but cheer their former All-Star. It’s one thing for a player to skip town and join a rivalry over a few million bucks (yes you, Johnny Damon), but the Mets didn’t even attempt to keep Reyes. He didn’t chose another team over the Mets because he wasn’t given a choice. I’d be surprised if the majority of the fans don’t understand that.
As for the Mets front office, good luck to them in their attempt to make the fans feel warm and fuzzy and forget that they let their best player walk.
H/T Eye on Baseball
Photo credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
