*Photo Courtesy of The 7 Line*
The Dominican Republic has become the hotbed of international talent for Major League Baseball. Some of today’s brightest stars are from there, and that was on full display at this year’s World Baseball Classic as the Dominicans used “Plantain Power” to take home the championship.
Much of the discussion during and following the tournament was about the Dominican’s “exuberance” during and after the games. Some people say it was disrespect to their opponents, some say it was excitement, some say it was “a cultural thing”. But whatever it was, it sparked controversy.
That type of exuberance was clearly evident on the field with the New York Mets during Jose Reyes ‘ tenure at shortstop for the Amazin’s. Mets fans loved it and other teams hated it. There were always rumblings of his immaturity and that he didn’t “respect” the game.
But, if there was one thing about Jose that the people making those generalizations failed to mention, it was that Jose only did it at the appropriate time. The home run hand shakes, the “spotlight”, and the clapping, were all done when those plays mattered. It was never forced, and always at the right time.
With the departure of Reyes, the next player in line with the Dominican “flavor”, is Jordany Valdespin. “JV1” as he likes to call himself, is the latest Metropolitan to have a love/hate relationship with the fans of #MetsTwitter.
He has had some great moments in his early career. Who can forget his pinch hit home run off Jonathan Papelbon? And some not so great ones, like his error fest against the Nationals. But with JV1, you can always count on some fireworks.
There is no question that Valdespin possesses talent. We’ve seen it when his brain and appendages are all working in sync with each other. He’s what some in the late 90’s/early 2000’s may have called, a “5 tool player”. But there’s something in that head of his that doesn’t allow it to happen.
“He doesn’t get steady playing time”, “he’s playing out of position”, “Mets management is racist” #Cism. We’ve all heard it. No matter what it is (and I’m sure it’s not a race related decision), JV1’s attitude is clearly what gets in his way.
When you read the Twitter chatter about how Reyes did all the stuff Valdespin does now, it really angers me. It really does, because that statement is complete nonsense.
I can’t remember Jose ever beating his chest after a triple when the Mets are down six runs, I can’t remember Jose taking Instagram “selfies” in a charter bus bathroom, I don’t recall Jose ever telling a reporter “I’m the man right now”.
I believe the reason Valdespin has such a love/hate relationship with the fans is that so many are searching for Reyes’s replacement, while others realize that he’s not in Reyes’s league…yet. Every time I see Valdespin’s antics of full display, there is one thing that comes to mind. “Know Your Place Rook.”
Lastings Milledge was a highly touted prospect that the Mets had brought up in 2006. After hitting his first major league home run off of the Mets former closer Armando Benitez, Millegdge decided it was a good idea to run up the right field line like he was entering a WWE match. High-fiving the the fans down the right field line as he went out to field his position drew ire from his fellow teammates, manager, and national media.
His teammates had apparently grown so tiresome of his act, that during the last week of that season, in which they were winning a division title, closer Billy Wagner placed a note at his locker that read “Know Your Place Rook – Your Teammates”. Milledge was traded the following season. Buy hey, it looks like he’s doing quite well for himself these days, his teammates LOVE him in Japan. Well maybe not…
So when you start comparing Jordany Valdespin to Jose Reyes, I ask you to remember Lastings Milledge. This is the path Valdespin is headed down. It’s up to veterans like David Wright, John Buck, and maybe LaTroy Hawkins to try to get through to the kid.
The sports cliche “Act like you have been there before”, has never been so true. Maybe once JV1 embraces those words, he can then let everyone know that he is here.
