ST. LOUIS – Usually when you are sitting in the stands at a baseball game, your eyes follow the path of the ball after it is hit. Not when Jose Reyes is on the base paths.
Watching Reyes zip around the bases feels like watching Picasso paint or Pavarotti sing. He’s an artist in cleats, and impossible to ignore.
That art was on display in Game 2 of the NLCS on Friday night when Reyes went from first to home on Paul Lo Duca’s double to left in the sixth inning. The ball was well hit into the corner, and the Cardinals never had a chance of getting Reyes out.
He was halfway between third and home before Chris Duncan even threw the ball into the infield.
The Mets hope what they saw from Reyes on Friday was a sign the shortstop is heating up. He went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. He was 2-for-16 in the postseason before then.
Willie Randolph attributed Reyes’ slow start in the playoffs to the 23-year-old being too pumped up.
“I think as we go along, he’ll probably settle in a little bit more,” Randolph said before Friday’s game. “The more you’re in this environment and you kind of get the cobwebs and kinks out, I think it will be better as we move along. It’s natural, we all go through it. Some guys get out of the chute quick, and sometimes when you’re high-energy like that, it’s tough to channel that energy.
That’s what he’s going through right now.” After stealing 64 bases in the regular season, Reyes’s thievery was viewed as a key for the Mets entering the playoffs. He had only stolen one base in two attempts this postseason, though, entering last night’s Game 3.
This season was a breakout one for Reyes, who has even been mentioned as an NL MVP candidate.
Early in his career, he struggled with injuries and poor plate discipline.
He posted career highs in onbase percentage (.354) and walks (53). His walk total almost doubled from 2005 (27).
“It’s scary to think what he can do, because he’s getting stronger, he’s learning the strike zone,” Randolph said.
“He’s starting to feel comfortable as far as getting the game down and understanding what he does – weaknesses, strengths. I’m real proud of him because he’s made great, great progress, but I think Mets fans are going to be in for a real treat as we go along because he’s going to get better and better, and he’s one of the more exciting players in the game.”
Top gunner
Jose Reyes continues to evolve into one of the league’s best leadoff men. Here’s a look at what’s he’s done this season and in the playoffs:
G AB R H HR RBI SB BA
Regular season 153 647 122 194 19 81 64 .300
Division Series 3 12 2 2 0 3 1 .167
League Championship 2 8 2 3 0 1 0 .375
Total postseason 5 20 4 5 0 4 1 .250
