Rex Ryan has taken the Jets, and Jets fans, for a ride these last two years. He does things differently than most sports leaders, particularly in the NFL. He’s emotional and brash. He tries to tell it like it is and portrays extreme confidence. He’s not afraid of a little trash talk. His players seem to love him, and Jets fans do as well.
Now that football season is mercifully over and we turn our attention back to baseball I can’t help but wonder how this will affect Jose Reyes. Reyes is one of those players that has been criticized by some for being too playful, for celebrating too much, or for his cheery dances after home runs. The guy’s really just enjoying playing baseball, and it’s part of what makes him an energetic and enthusiastic leadoff hitter but some criticize anyway. I wonder if watching Rex Ryan these last couple of years will lessen any of the ill will towards Reyes.
Some of the media will criticize, especially since criticizing the Mets is popular in the media these days. Talk radio hosts will still bring up the topic just like they bring up Ryan’s antics. Even Jets supporter Michael Kay was critical of the way Ryan was talking about Tom Brady and he has no love for the Mets. It does seem to matter less to the fans than the media, and even non-Jets fans may be more tired and annoyed at the endless discussion of this off the field stuff than the actual team itself. Reyes will still get his share of criticism. If he slumps, reporters will point to his dancing, or blame his clapping when he hits a double. They’ll talk about how he’s playing for a contract, if he’s not extended in Spring Training like I expect, and should grow up and act mature. Reyes will be the longest tenured Met and many will demand that he step up and act differently.
Reyes will always be Reyes. Carlos Beltran once sat him down in Spring Training, when he was getting concerned that he should be listening to these analysts and acting differently, and told him to be himself. Reyes is one of the hardest working players on the team, and his enthusiasm and energy is an asset, not a problem. As long as he prepares himself for each game, and plays to the best of his extensive abilities Reyes can dance after home runs, or cheer when he gets a hit.
Rex Ryan has shown us that there isn’t one way to act; that there isn’t a specific formula or schema required to be successful in professional sports. The best that anyone can do is try their hardest, and be themselves. Hopefully Rex Ryan’s two seasons in New York will remind Mets fans that a little bit of enthusiasm and bravado is not a bad thing.
