JOSE’S ROAD BACK
Reyes works to be better man after domestic violence ban
Reyes continues to work at becoming a better person following domestic violence ban
PORT ST. LUCIE — At this time last year, Jose Reyes was in a dark place. He was back home in New York while major league baseball players were reporting to spring training. After an arrest in October 2015 for a domestic violence incident at his Hawaii hotel, Reyes was kept out of Rockies camp, working out on his own and waiting for a decision on a suspension from MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.
So, Reyes said he saw it as a time to make a decision of his own. He felt he could let the incident, which he described as “unacceptable,” define him or he could use it to change his life.
“What happened was unacceptable, I knew it and I knew I had to do something to make it right,” Reyes said Friday morning before an informal workout of position players at the Mets spring training complex. “It wasn’t a good thing to go through, no. But you can go through it and become a better husband and father and man. “That’s what I have tried to do.” After a 51-game suspension under MLB’s relatively new domestic violence policy, with a loss of pay, a mandatory $100,000 donation to a group that works with victims of domestic violence and mandatory counseling, Reyes claims he is a changed man.
Reyes declined to speak specifically about Jeurys Familia, the Mets closer who is awaiting a possible suspension after a domestic violence incident in October. Familia worked out early and left the complex early Friday, but an MLB source said there was no imminent decision in his case.
Having gone through a similar situation, however, Reyes said that the MLB program is more than just a punishment.
“You can go through the process and realize what you need to do,” Reyes said. “I think it helped me to be become a better husband, father and man.” It wasn’t an easy process for Reyes. The Rockies had him stay home during spring training last year as Manfred reviewed his case. He was arrested in Hawaii for allegedly grabbing his wife and shoving her into a sliding glass door at a hotel in Maui. According to reports, a hotel security guard reported that his wife
had injuries to her leg and scratches on her neck. Reyes pleaded not guilty to abusing a family or household member. The criminal charges were eventually dropped after his wife was deemed an uncooperative witness, but she can re-file charges until October of this year.
“That was unacceptable,” Reyes said of the incident. “I know that.”
After Reyes served the suspension, the Rockies cut him loose. The Mets, who were struggling after a seasonending injury to David Wright, gave him a second chance in baseball. Reyes accepted the conditions that he continue counseling through last year as part of his deal with the Mets and embraced the opportunity.
This spring, Reyes came back to Port St. Lucie for the first time after four years with the Marlins (where he signed as a free agent), Blue Jays and Rockies feeling like a young player again.
“This time last year I was in New York, working out with my trainer. This year, I am focused on baseball. So it’s going to be a huge difference for me,” Reyes said. “Last year I wasn’t able to do that. This year I am here and ready to go, can’t wait to be on that field and do whatever (Mets manager) Terry (Collins) asked me to do.”
That will include backing up Wright at third, Neil Walker at second base and Asdrubal Cabrera at shortstop. He has also been asked to take some balls in the outfield, though with the Mets already crowded out there, Collins said that Reyes would mostly play there in emergencies only.
Whatever his position, Reyes knows he was given a second chance and he will make the most of it.
“First of all my body feels good. I don't see any problems,” Reyes said. “I do the work here I need to do in spring training, I don't see a problem with it. My body feels good, I feel good out there…..I feel like I go out there, give me some work and see what happens.”