HE DID WHAT?!

The New York Mets will not qualify for postseason honours this year, but shortstop Jose Reyes remains in line for individual honours as he vies for the National League batting title. What remains of his chances are anyone's guess after laying a bunt single in his only at-bat in the Mets' final regular season game. Leading off the bottom half of the first inning, Jose Reyes bunted the ball down the third base line, and reached first base safely. Mathematically speaking, this puts Reyes ahead of Brewers' slugger and lead MVP candidate in terms of batting average; Reyes finishes 2011 with a .337 BA. For Ryan Braun to overtake Reyes, he must go at least 3-for-4 in his final game against the Pittsburgh Pirates tonight.

Amidst some boos from his home supporters, who paid considerable money to watch him play a full game against the Cincinnati Reds in the afternoon contest, Reyes entered the Mets' dugout to congratulations from most if not all of his teammates. Even the Mets' broadcasters were perturbed by interim manager Collins' decision to pull him from the game. According to Twitter, however, it was at Jose Reyes' request!

One can win trophies for mathematical supremacy via gamesmanship; when the same individual attempts to win trophies based on the subjective judgment by writers and outside influences, however, the perception of foul play taints and voids any attempt at securing such high praise.

No one can vote for who shall win the batting title, in the same way no one can remove Barry Bonds' single-season homerun record of 73 because he used performance-enhancing drugs, which many knew about and continued to overlook. Jose Reyes did what he felt was right, according and not according to the rules of the game. This would throw into question Reyes' effort during the season in almost every situation when the manager pulled him from a game, or didn't start him. However, if the National League Most Valuable Player Award came down to my vote, I would hope for Mr Reyes' sake that he would not be counting on me.

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