Remembering Mets History: (2003) Joe Reyes Is Youngest Player To Hit HRs From Both Sides of the Plate
Thursday August 28th, 2003: Art Howe's fifth place Mets (59-73)were certainly struggling at this point in time, but there was some bright spots in the teams future. Rookie speedster Jose Reyes had just been brought up that June adding some excitement to the ball club. At this point, Reyes was already batting over .300 & stealing bases like crazy, dazzling everyone with his speed, as well as his fine play on the field.But on this day, he went into the record books for something else, his power. Jose Reyes became the youngest player in MLB history to hit HRs from both sides of the plate.
Starting Lineups
| New York Mets | Atlanta Braves | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jose Reyes | SS | 1 | Mark DeRosa | SS | |
| 2 | Jay Bell | 2B | 2 | Marcus Giles | 2B | |
| 3 | Ty Wigginton | 3B | 3 | Gary Sheffield | RF | |
| 4 | Mike Piazza | C | 4 | Chipper Jones | LF | |
| 5 | Jason Phillips | 1B | 5 | Andruw Jones | CF | |
| 6 | Raul Gonzalez | RF | 6 | Javy Lopez | C | |
| 7 | Joe McEwing | LF | 7 | Vinny Castilla | 3B | |
| 8 | Jeff Duncan | CF | 8 | Mike Hessman | 1B | |
| 9 | Al Leiter | P | 9 | Mike Hampton | P |
The Mets were in Atlanta taking on Bobby Cox's first place Braves (85-48). Al Leiter went out & won his 13th game (13-7) beating former Met; Mike Hampton (12-6).With the game still scoreless in the 5th inning, Reyes led off & hit a solo HR off Hampton from the right side. Later in the top of the 9th, with New York clinging to the 2-1 lead, Reyes hit a two run shot from the left side of the plate off pitcher; Trey Hodges. The exciting young Reyes drove in all three runs in the 3-1 Mets win, while making history.