Just Mets

While unexpected, former Met superstar Jose Reyes has returned to Citi Field on Monday for the second time this season.

It’s his second visit with as many teams, as he first returned in June as a member of the now first place Toronto Blue Jays, and now with the last place Colorado Rockies.

He had not been back to play in Flushing since he was on the Marlins in 2012, the summer after he signed his six-year, $106 million contract in 2012, departing the Mets and his home for nine years.

But that marriage with Miami was short-lived. Since signing that contract, Reyes is playing for his third team: he was traded to Toronto following the 2012 season, virtually moments after he was told by Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria he would not be dealt. Then, 2 1/2 years later, he was traded to the Rockies as part of a blockbuster deal which netted the Blue Jays a shortstop the Mets have recently coveted in Troy Tulowitzki.

When Reyes returned home with the Blue Jays in June, fans welcomed him back with a roaring ovation.

And, Reyes took notice.

“It’s always good to come home. These fans, they show me a lot of love when I come to New York,” Reyes told JustMets before Wednesday’s game. “It means a lot. They show me a lot of respect and I show a lot of respect to them back.”

The four-time All-Star has not transplanted his family as he has become a well-traveled veteran in this league. He still maintains his home in Long Island, where his wife and kids continue to resides.

The transition for Reyes from the contending Blue Jays to the second-division Rockies has been challenging mentally for the 32-year-old shortstop. But there are a couple of silver linings to the trade.

Now that he won’t be playing in the Rogers Centre regularly, he will strictly play on grass fields only.

“That’s the only thing I don’t miss about Toronto,” the former Met explained. “I enjoy playing on natural grass.”

But the move also affords him the opportunity to come back to New York and play in front of a fan base which still adores him a few games a year.

And it’s something he relishes.

“It’ll be great to come here every year because I live here,” Reyes said with his typical smile. “I’m happy to spend time and sleep in my home bed.”

Reyes certainly never imagined he would become a member of the Rockies at any point during his career, especially with Troy Tulowitzki establishing himself as their franchise player and the centerpiece of their brand.

But as is the case with most aspects of life, things change. And being with his fourth team since 2011, Reyes has come to accept such change as part of the business of baseball.

Despite the Rockies continuing to struggle, Reyes is excited for the future of the franchise, and hopes the team will soon ascend to the top tier of the league.

“There’s a lot of great, young talent with this ball club,” he explained.

Reyes has been following his former club closely. He is still friends with people associated with the Mets, and he always goes out of his way to greet every last employee he shared at least one moment with, whether it’s an usher in the stands, a security supervisor, a member of the clubhouse staff, and members of the media as well.

After all, he spent the first nine years of his big league career with the Mets, and his first 12 years as a professional in the organization. He knows not to forget his roots.

He still recalls the run the club made in 2006 memorably, as it still stands as his last real shot at winning a World Series title. He still seems disappointed at the missed opportunities he was unfortunately involved with in 2007 and 2008 as well.

“We had some opportunities here to win a World Series here, but unfortunately it didn’t happen,” he recalled.

While the odds will always remain long, Met fans are still hoping and praying their beloved homegrown super star may eventually don orange and blue again. Reyes, who never wanted to leave the Mets to begin with, is also hopeful of a second marriage with his former club at some point before he retires.

“I’d love to finish my career here in New York. I have some great memories here,” Reyes told Tim Rohan of the New York Times earlier this week.

Crazier things have happened, especially with the Mets.

But there will always be one single constant among Met fans, and that is the endless love affair they have for a shortstop they still consider theirs despite the multiple uniforms he has worn in recent years.