Reyes not thrilled about being hugged by Batista
New York Mets' Jose Reyes (7) strikes out to end the 7th inning. (April 11, 2010) Credit: Photo by John Dunn
It was an odd sight on the infield grass as players milled around during the Francisco Rodriguez-Willie Harris incident Sunday: Jose Reyes getting a bear hug from a member of the Nationals.
Reyes revealed after the game that the player was Nationals pitcher Miguel Batista, whom Reyes knows from the Dominican Republic.
Reyes said the two are friendly but not close friends, and he was surprised - and, it seemed, a little appalled - at an opposing player being that friendly when the possibility of punches being thrown existed.
"I don't know what he was doing," Reyes said. "You have to be serious at that time."
Batista's actions reminded some of the 1999 incident in which Alex Rodriguez (then of the Mariners) and Derek Jeter play-fought during a brawl at the Kingdome in Seattle. At that time, Jeter and A-Rod were good friends and had not had their famous falling out.
Jeter was criticized by then-Yankees outfielder Chad Curtis for clowning around while some of his teammates - including catcher Joe Girardi - were engaged in a real brawl.
There were no punches thrown Sunday. Just one unwelcome hug.
