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Mets Deem Jose Reyes Humbled, Contrite In Return To Organization After Domestic Incident

Recently signed Mets SS Jose Reyes is a player "desperate to re-establish his image and win back the fans," and yesterday he "went about it the right way in his first public exposure to New York since his domestic violence suspension," according to John Harper of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Reyes, who made his debut with the Single-A New York-Penn League Brooklyn Cyclones, "didn't read a prepared statement" in meeting with reporters and "didn't sound coached." But he spoke "with emotion on the subject" of his alleged domestic violence incident, "admitting some fans will look at him differently now and he can't begrudge them for that." Reyes said that he is "undergoing counseling, as required by MLB in conjunction with his 52-game suspension, and said he'll continue it as long as necessary" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/27). Reyes' agent, The Legacy Agency's Peter Greenberg, said that Reyes' contract with the Mets "doesn't come with an opt-out clause." Greenberg: "This is a very unique situation. Every other contract we've done like this would have an out. I said it's ridiculous to even ask for that" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 6/27).

A HUMBLE RETURN: In N.Y., Billy Witz notes Reyes, who signed a minor league contract with the Mets, "returned a contrite and humbled figure" yesterday. Included in the overflow crowd of 7,851, "about a third of whom had bought tickets since Reyes’s signing was announced," were Mets GM Sandy Alderson and Reyes’s wife, Katherine, and their three young girls. Reyes "repeatedly expressed his gratitude" to Mets COO Jeff Wilpon and to Alderson "for taking him back." Witz notes as fans lined up outside MCU Park in Coney Island, there were a "good number who dressed for the occasion with Reyes T-shirts or jerseys" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/27). On Long Island, David Lennon notes the standing-room-only crowd treated Reyes "as if nothing had changed." His every at-bat "was greeted with loud applause" (NEWSDAY, 6/27). Alderson said of signing Reyes, "We felt he deserved a second chance and that second chance was most appropriate with us, a place where he spent a lot of his formative years. I do believe that he is a good person at heart, a good person that made a huge mistake" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 6/27).

OUT IN FRONT: The N.Y. TIMES' Witz noted Alderson during a Saturday conference call "braced for some blowback, explaining in detail how the team had proceeded" in signing Reyes, Alderson met for one hour with Reyes last week, the focal point "being the domestic violence case and steps Reyes was taking in counseling." Wilpon "had been involved in every step." Alderson also "reaffirmed the team’s commitment to domestic violence training for every team employee." Alderson: "We fully understand that there will be differences of opinion about this, that some people will feel strongly and differently. I think we accept that and respect that." Alderson also said that Reyes "would be held to a high standard and that he would support groups working against domestic violence" (N.Y. TIMES, 6/26). Alderson said of his initial meeting with Reyes, "I came away feeling that he had taken responsibility for this mistake on his part, that he was remorseful" (ESPN.com, 6/25). 

RIGHT & WRONG: The DAILY NEWS' Harper noted this should not "be seen as a heartwarming reunion." It is "incumbent on both Reyes and the Mets to make this as palatable as possible for fans who care about right and wrong -- and parents who want to impress upon their kids that ballplayers aren’t gods." Reyes "has to demonstrate some sincere remorse for what he did, and should be willing to talk to youth groups about his mistake." Furthermore, Reyes and the Mets "should partner in a campaign to raise public awareness about domestic abuse, with both parties making major donations to public agencies that provide for battered women" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/26). In N.Y., Mike Lupica wrote it is "never about truth or beauty, or fairness and justice, or even right and wrong with these second chances in sports." The decision "always comes down to whether or not a guy can still play, if you think he can help your team" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/26). ESPN's Keith Law said, "I'm extremely disappointed in the Mets for bringing him back. I understand Jose Reyes served his suspension. He probably would be in jail if his wife had cooperated with investigators. ... I think it sends a terrible message to the fan base given that we know that he's alleged to have committed this act" (“Baseball Tonight,” ESPN, 6/25). 

COMING HOME: In N.Y., Mike Puma wrote, "What better place for an attempt at rehabilitating your image and career than in the organization that developed you into an All-Star?" (N.Y. POST, 6/26). NEWSDAY's Lennon wrote Reyes and the Mets together "have the opportunity to do more right than wrong." But with "so much at stake, it desperately needs to be the former" (NEWSDAY, 6/26). YAHOO SPORTS' Mark Townsend noted the Mets "obviously believe the rewards far outweigh any risks or backlash." But now "we wait to see if they're proven correct" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/25). SI.com's Cliff Corcoran noted anyone "expecting billion-dollar corporations to take a moral high ground when a bargain presents itself is living in a fantasy world." For the Mets, the reality is that their reputation "will suffer more from failing to return to the playoffs than from having employed a player accused of domestic abuse" (SI.com, 6/25). 

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