Reyes Breaks the Mets' Stolen Bases Record
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by Romiezzo
REYES: FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET
That was a sign that I saw on mlb.com when I was watching the video of Jose Reyes stealing third. He stole base number 67 today, as he is now in the record books for the most stolen bases by a Met in one season. He stole three bases today, and just keeps on rolling, with 47 games to go for the Mets. He didn't only steal third base, he did it standing up, which tells people how fast he really is. Even though the Mets still lost to the San Diego Padres, 7-5, they still had something to celebrate.
Reyes was close to breaking Roger Cedeno's record for 66 bases for the past two seasons; he stole 60 in 2005 and he stole 64 last year. This year is a whole new story, as he is decreasing his power numbers and focusing more on speed.
Roger Cedeno's 66th steal came in the Mets' 160th game, his 152nd game and in his 83rd attempt. Reyes' 65th, 66th and 67th came in his and the Mets' 125th game. His 67th swipe came in his 82nd attempt.
Reyes, who leads the National League in steals with 67, and Cedeno are the only players in franchise history to steal more than 58 bases in a season. The three steals put his career total at 223. Only Mookie Wilson has stolen more bases as a Met, 281. I guarentee you that he will break that record next year if he doesn't get injured.
"I'm not here to set records," Reyes said after the game. "I'm trying to put myself in position so we can score runs." That is the kind of attitude that we would like to see happen. We all know that he could easily steal 100+ bases, if he wanted to, but that is quite a risk, and could lead to a lot of easy outs for the Mets, which is smart of Reyes.
Manager Willie Randolph suggested that his leadoff man could, in some season, approach what Rickey Henderson accomplished. The Mets first-base coach stole 130 bases in 1982. What if he did? What would the conversation be? (Randolph wants him to steal 2nd to steal 131, Henderson says "don't go, he wants you to stay; we changed the signs last inning.") He is only 24 years old, so I am guessing that if he wanted to do it, he could.
"It's not impossible," Reyes said. "But it's not going to be easy. I have about 120 in two years. Henderson had 130 in one."
Congratulations to Jose Reyes for breaking the single season record for stolen bases by a Met.
