The Maturation Of A Young Stud

In an outstanding article by Scott Miller - CBS News, we are invited into not only the relationship between Jerry Manuel and Jose Reyes, but how Manuel is teaching Jose about what his abilities are, and what he is capable of becoming.

Jerry Manuel, always thinking ahead of the curve, describes Jose's ability as, “The game is played at a jazz tune, and he's running on a hip-hop level. But he still can hit the beat at the right time here and there. I want him to be the best jazz player he could possibly be."

Part of Manuel's outstanding communication skill with his players, unlike those of his predecessor, is well shown daily on the field. Where it might not be known, is how Manuel reaches out to his players off the field. This winter, General Manuel took Reyes to dinner. The conversation was of expectation. Manuel spoke to Reyes of his long term vision, which has Reyes defining himself as a leader of the Mets. He wants Jose to help settle pitchers down when they get into trouble, use intelligence along with sheer God-given athletic ability to help change the course of the game.

No better example of this is Manuel experimenting batting Jose in the three hole. Here is where the maturation of Jose is showing. Jose admits he would rather bat lead-off, but said after his dinner with Manuel, "I'm here to play. Wherever he puts me in the lineup to win a game every night, to win a championship, I'm going to do it.” Reyes continued, "There's still a lot left for me to learn. He said one possibility is for me to go to the mound to talk to the pitcher when he's wild, go calm him, stuff like that.

"I'm good with that. That's going to make me better because I'm going to be more involved in everything in the field."

Reyes is also starting to understand that it is imperative that he stays focused for an entire nine inning game, not just six innings.

Having followed this team for over 35 years, and lived and died with each humiliating and gut wrenching loss, I have had the privilege of seeing some extraordinary talent: Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, Keith Hernandez, Edgardo Alfonzo, Mookie Wilson, Jerry Grote, Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, et al. Jose Reyes is as talented as any of the aforementioned greats. He can drive you nuts, but he, unlike any of the other's mentioned, can change the game. Darryl could do it with a bomb, Keith with the glove or the key double, Mookie with his legs – Jose can do it with sheer speed, daring base-running, a key triple, turn a sure out into an infield hit, etc. He will be 26 in June, and his time has come. General Manuel shows great understanding of his prized pupil, and is showing his trust in him by giving him responsibility. Now, I don't agree with Reyes batting third, and I do believe he will be the Mets lead-off hitter this year, but what Jerry is doing is showing his young stud other aspects of the game; other aspects he is capable of mastering. Not just speed. Not just triples. Teams with not with their ability alone. They win with the understanding of the game they play – along with that athletic talent that comes along once in a generation.