TAMPA — Remember when Jose Reyes was the shortstop of the future in New York and Derek Jeter supposedly was starting to slip?
Now, things just keep getting worse for Reyes and the Mets while Jeter and the Yankees keep winning championships. No one knows better than Jeter what a difficult task it is to survive and thrive in New York and right now he feels for his sidelined Mets counterpart.
“First and foremost is your health, and it goes beyond anything you do on the field,” Jeter said yesterday at Steinbrenner Field. “You wish him the best. I don’t like to see anybody go through that kind of stuff. It’s just that he’s had such bad luck. You have to assume that his luck is going to change here soon. All you can do is be patient.”
PETTITTE PITCHES SIMULATED GAME
Reyes, 26, is out for two to eight weeks because of thyroid issues. Friends said he is really down because of this latest setback. Because of calf and hamstring injuries, Reyes did not play in a game after May 20 last season. This year, he may not be able to play until May 20.
“I’m sure it’s frustrating for him,” Jeter said. “I’m not familiar with the situation that he has now. The only thing you can do is to try and stay positive. It can be very, very difficult to do at a time like this.”
Jeter, 35, admitted he “can’t relate” to what Reyes is going through. Jeter keeps rolling out 150-game seasons in his Hall of Fame career. Last year, he played 153 games and then another 15 in the postseason as the Yankees collected their 27th world championship and Jeter earned his fifth ring. He is beginning his 15th full season in the majors.
Though Jeter and Reyes play the same position and bat leadoff (Reyes, however, is supposed to be moved to the No. 3 hole this season), the two are much different players. Much of Reyes’ game is in his legs, and that can take a physical toll on a player. Jeter managed to steal 30 bases last year, but he lets the importance of the moment dictate when to steal.
“Jose has had a lot of injuries with his legs because he runs a lot,” Jeter said. “So that’s one of the differences. He’s the type of player who is running a lot, stealing a lot. Ever since the first time he tore his hamstring, I was always getting worried for him when you see him running because that can be tough.
“I’ve never torn a hamstring. I pulled a hamstring, but those can be tough injuries to get over.”
Reyes may have to change his game and not focus on stealing bases so much. He will have to play more of a prevention game. The Mets’ new slogan this season is “Prevention and Recovery.” Reyes is going to have to get some luck going his way.
Jeter suffered food poisoning on Thursday and was sent home with what the Yankees thought was the flu.
“I’m good now,” Jeter said. “It was food poisoning or something, some bad fish.” Not a good week for seafood and New York shortstops after Reyes was prohibited from eating iodine-rich seafood while being treated for his thyroid ailment.
Jeter will be in the lineup in Lakeland, Fla., today as the Yankees play a split-squad game against the Tigers (they also will play host to the Orioles at Steinbrenner Field).
Each day, Jeter works a similar routine. To watch him in the batting cage is fascinating, especially when he uses the one-arm drill to hit balls the other way. It’s all about preparation for Jeter. It paid off in a championship last year, his and the Yankees’ first since 2000.
“You have to keep going at it,” Jeter said, noting it’s important to enjoy the ride, wherever it takes you. “You have disappointments, bad seasons and you just continue to plug away and I think we’ve been able to do that. You appreciate the road, too, even though it’s something that’s hard, you still appreciate it and it puts things in perspective.”
For Reyes, the road has never been more difficult.
“I just wish him luck,” Jeter said.