Tribute videos. That’s what Mets fans are angry about. Not the team’s play (although Johan Santana’s start has raised some eyebrows).
In case you missed it, Jose Reyes returns to New York with the Marlins next week. The Mets are planning a short tribute video for him. Fans are not happy.
I’m not against tribute videos, but in this case I don’t think it’s a good idea. Consider the circumstances in which Reyes left. Consider how angry fans are with him over pulling himself from his final game as a Met to secure the batting crown. And let’s compare it to another instance.
In 2006, Mike Piazza returned to New York with the Padres. The team showed a tribute video for him. But there’s a difference in the relationship Mets fans had (and still have) with Piazza than they did with Reyes.
Reyes is an exciting player and was fun to watch, but he isn’t a future Hall of Famer like Piazza. Plus there’s a lot more. Piazza’s the man who lifted the city after Sept. 11. He performed playoff heroics more than once for the Mets and reached the World Series in 2000 with them. The city embraced him and the city embraced him back.
And when Piazza left, it was at the end of his career with his prime years behind him. His time had passed him by. No one really wanted to see him go, but we all knew it was time. Unlike Jose Reyes who took the money and ran after turbulent seasons with plenty of injuries.
Circumstance and importance really play a role in how a player should be remembered and honored. The wounds are too fresh right now. Perhaps if it was Reyes’ final season, people would feel differently.
Case in point — The Mets plan to honor Chipper Jones before the end of the season. Yes, they’ll pay tribute to the hated rival. And I even think it’s more appropriate than honoring Jose Reyes. Mets fans have a different relationship with Chipper than we have had with any other opposing player in my lifetime. He’s our villain, the guy we love to hate. But we also respect him for what he’s done for us. And it feels like Chipper respects us too. His kid is named Shea. He owns seats from the old ballpark. He’s actually saying nice things about us these days (a sign of maturity).
How many of us can say we bought Mets-Braves tickets just so we can boo Chipper? Or chant “Larry!” at him?
Chipper recently told reporters he wonders if his gift will be a recording of every boo that’s rained down on him from the Shea/Citi Field faithful. On opening day, Chipper got the loudest reaction of any player, including the Mets. The boos rained down, and I actually was disappointed he tipped his cap. But in his final appearance at Citi Field, when the team plans to honor him, if I can be there I’d clap. Just that one time. Then we’ll be back to booing.
Meanwhile, I just want to avoid the ballpark when Reyes returns. I’ve moved on as have so many fans. So should the Mets.