Howie Rose tracks Jose Reyes

Howie notes Jose Reyes just hit his third pop-up of the game (v Atlanta), says he has not been the same player since mid-season 2007. *****

• While Rickey Henderson is no longer coaching the Mets, he was brought in at mid-season last year. On July 12, 2007, the Mets announced the hiring of Rickey Henderson as a coach (mlb.com press release). In previous capacities with the club he had been viewed as helpful to Jose Reyes:

(MLB.com): "His primary responsibilities had been to work with Jose Reyes and other basestealers on their baserunning. But he also dealt with patience at the plate. He had been considered a positive influence on Reyes, who has

• increased his on-base percentage from .271 in 2004, to .300 in 2005, to .354 last year
• to .387 this season." (by Marty Noble, MLB.com, 7/12/07).

Before today's game Reyes' OBP was 277, his average 247 (now the average is down to 239). He has 3 GIDP going into today; the most he's had for an entire year before was 7.

• From Bill Madden's 9/23/07 NY Daily News column:

"Wilpon and GM Omar Minaya

• would allow him (Willie Randolph) to name only one coach - and they unceremoniously fired that one, Rick Down, at midseason this year and replaced him with, of all people, Rickey Henderson.

Henderson was one of the game's greatest players and he combined that with an engaging personality. But as a coach, his contributions have been minimal.

• Around the clubhouse, he is jokingly referred to as the card-playing coach, and those close to the situation say

Randolph has had to bite his tongue every day when he arrives at the clubhouse only to see Henderson playing cards with the players.

• It should also not be forgotten that Minaya said the hiring of Henderson, former leadoff man/base-stealer extraordinaire, would especially be beneficial to Jose Reyes. Has there been

anyone more disappointing (to use Wilpon's word) than Reyes these past six weeks?" (Bill Madden, 9/23/07)

• (Sound like someone deliberately planned an environment and clubhouse to undercut the manager and his abilities thereby hurting all the players as well). sm

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