JUPITER, Fla. — You can spend a lifetime in one organization, but in the end, it’s about playing the game and staying on the field no matter what uniform you wear.
That is Jose Reyes’ challenge now as he begins his career with the Marlins. The former Mets shortstop walked into camp yesterday at 8 a.m., past the new Miami Marlins mural that features the 19-year-old franchise’s two World Series trophies, the same number the Mets have won in 50 years.
Reyes met the media, laughed with his new third baseman Hanley Ramirez, took ground balls, swung and missed at his first pitch of the spring, prompting manager Ozzie Guillen to yell: “Don’t be wasting our [bleeping] money’’ and made the day for fans such as Tyler Olsen, 10, from East Marion, N.Y., who got his autograph.
As Reyes walked from one field to another under the bright blue sky, he said, “I’m having a great time already.’’
He has his money, six years at $106 million, his No. 7, a new haircut and his old joy for the game. He can’t wait to play the Mets.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun, man,’’ Reyes said. “I can’t wait to go to Citi Field and play there. I think it’s going to be exciting. … If we stay healthy we can be a special team.’’
Yes they can because Reyes is a special player. Guillen knows what he has in Reyes at the top of his lineup. When asked if he has any special plans to keep Reyes’ hamstrings healthy, he was his typical Ozzie self.
“You cannot come here and change the way this guy plays,’’ Guillen said. “He plays one way and nobody is going to take that away from him. We’re going to give him a few days off here and there. In spring training we will take care of him.
“He’s got to take care of his body better. His legs, that’s important, but it’s hard for anybody to change the way they play. Go play and we get you rest.”
Guillen will let Reyes to put his stamp on the Marlins. At the end of this first day of volunteer work — position players are not due until Sunday — Reyes was sitting comfortably in his new clubhouse, laughing it up with Ramirez, a tremendous hitter who needs to lighten up a bit.
Reyes did not care that the Mets gave his old uniform to bench coach Bob Geren.
“That’s OK,” Reyes said. “I’m not there. They can do whatever they want with No. 7.’’
He only is looking at the new-look Marlins.
“We expect to win with the talent we have,’’ the NL batting champ said. “The one thing we need is to stay healthy, if we do that we are going to compete.’’
Reyes, 28, brings the same passion. He had been in the Mets organization since 1999.
“I love the Mets fans,’’ he said. “They were so good to me.’’ he said. “I feel at home [with the Marlins]. It’s a good feeling. It was a little different in the beginning, but as soon as I get in the clubhouse it feels the same for me, a new family. The same energy I had in New York, I am going to bring here.’
“I don’t play for the New York Mets anymore. I can’t worry about what happens there. I need to focus on this team.’’
Stay healthy and everything will take care of itself.