José Reyes, whose high-octane brand of baseball defined the Mets for much of the early 2000s, has officially retired.
Reyes last appeared in the Majors in 2018 for the Mets, though his most significant impact on the franchise came in the years following his debut as a 19-year-old in 2003. He led the National League in stolen bases each year from 2005-07, stealing 202 during that three-year stretch alone. Reyes then won a batting title with a .337 average as a switch-hitter in 2011 before leaving for Miami via free agency after that season.
He retires with a .283 career average, 145 home runs, 131 triples and 517 stolen bases. Reyes is the Mets’ all-time leader in triples and steals, and he ranks 33rd all-time on MLB’s career stolen base list.
“As a young boy growing up in the Dominican Republic, I could have never dreamed of achieving all that I have through this incredible game,” Reyes wrote in a Twitter post announcing his retirement.
— Jose Reyes (@lamelaza_7) July 29, 2020
In addition to the Mets, Reyes thanked the Marlins and Blue Jays organizations, which were his home from 2012-15. He was playing for his fourth team, the Rockies, when he was arrested on Oct. 31, 2015, and charged with allegedly assaulting his wife. Prosecutors later dropped those charges, but Reyes was suspended 51 games for violating MLB’s joint domestic violence policy.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].