All the papers are writing how Jose has lifted the spirits of the Mets when he returned to camp yesterday.  Heaven knows from what I saw, that they need his bat in the line-up.  The question is, can Jose step up into what seems to be a real leadership role here?

I know Mets fans have long had trouble thinking of Jose that way.  He came up as the phenom and instantly was hurt. And by the time he was healthy and playing everyday, there was this good looking All-American to his right and another All-Star behind him.   Then came that other All-Star to toe the mound- and soon Jose wasn’t really all that important.

But now the Mets need him.  They need him to lead-off, they need him to take care of himself, and they need him to be the guy who makes everyone else better.  Remember a couple of years ago when Jose everyone was talking about Jose as the best shortstop in New York?  But the truth is, even with all of Reyes’s talents, we all would build our team around the other one, Derek Jeter.  Reyes needs to find that level of responsibility.  He needs to step up with the media, and he needs to step up on the field.  With David Wright struggling to find his timing and his glove, Reyes has a chance here.  The questions is can he be that man?