Ah, the one man that can actually turn a good day into a bad one with a homerun. At one point it seemed the perfect combination of Lenny Harris, Matt Stairs and Ed Kranepool had been formed on New York’s bench, but all good things come to an end and a foul ball to the groin must have rattled him too much.
April 23rd 2012: Jordany Valdespin’s Debut
He didn’t really do much on his debut except pop-out to shortstop, but it is kind of necessary to mention. It was also his first pinch-hit opportunity that unfortunately failed.
May 7th 2012: I’m the Man Right Now
This is what seemed to start the legend of what a Met fan knows as Valdespin. In a tie game against the rival Phillies, Valdespin came to bat with two runners on and proceeded to crank a go-ahead 3-run homer with the most awkward swing I’ve ever seen. This homerun marked his first hit, homerun, RBI, and pinch-hit homerun. After the game Mike Nickeas said, “He can hit. You saw him do a little bit of it tonight. I’ve seen him do that, amongst other things.” I really wonder if he was silently pointing out his past, present, and future attitude.
June 5th 2012: Valdespin’s Second Pinch-Hit Homer
This homerun isn’t really considered to be all that important considering the Mets would end up losing a heartbreaker later in the game and David Wright a homerun in the same inning. But this does mark the second pinch-hit homerun of his career.
July 6th 2012: Close, but no Cigar
Valdespin hit a solo homerun with 1 out, and he actually sparked the Mets to attempt a huge comeback. After Ruben Tejada drew another nail-biting 3-2 walk, Murphy and Wright followed with walks. Ike Davis got a hit for once and he knocked in two runs. Lucas Duda ended the game with a bullet right back to Carlos Marmol and doubled off Davis. This was the unofficial decline of the 2012 Mets. Valdespin had made his heroics noticed by continuously sparking the Mets offense.
July 17th 2012: Another Met Loss with Valdespin Magic
Down two nothing in the top of the ninth, Valdespin delivered his fourth pinch-hit homerun, but it was unfortunately short-lived with Parnell blowing the save. At that point in the season, Valdespin seemed to be a secret-weapon.
July 24th 2012: It’s Not Even August
Even with the team spiraling out of control Valdespin still kept his demeanor and launched another homerun off the bench. Gary Cohen said it best, “It’s not even August and he’s already set the record.” This was the beginning of his regular playing time.
August 23rd 2012: Right there is Valdespin, Misjudged It, and It’s Over His Head
Collin McHugh will always remember this day as his outstanding MLB debut, but this could be noted as one of the worst losses in recent memory. In a 0-0 game, a ball was lined to Valdespin in center field and it floated right over his head; Tyler Colvin would later score with the only run of the game. This was the beginning of the fall of Valdespin.
March 11th 2013: Ouch
After leading off the game with a homerun, Valdespin was beaned with a 94mph fastball. Literally every single sports network had heard about this; Valdespin really enjoyed the attention. I can only imagine that some of the minor league teammates Valdespin had played with were silently cheering.
April 24th 2013: Valdespin’s Grand Moment
Of all the moments in his brief career, this one truly stands out. Valdespin’s teammates were able to put up with his antics for one night because he launched a walk-off grand slam. After the game Kevin Burkhardt asked Valdespin if he was the man and, sure enough, Valdespin thought so.
May 1st 2013: Valdespin’s First Pinch-Hit Home run of the Season
Valdespin continued his heroics and drilled a three-run homerun that gave the Mets the lead and they never looked back. This was probably one of the last moments where Valdespin was even remotely liked by his teammates.
May 10th-11th: Bomb and Bean
Valdespin launched a rocket into the upper deck and at that point even most Mets fans were thinking what is that guys deal. Valdespin proceeded to completely show up the Pirates and flip the bat. Davis gave him the coldest high five I’ve ever seen. It would be one thing if he had tied the game or won it, but we were trailing by a great deal of runs. The next day the Mets faced the Pirates once again. Sure enough Valdespin was beaned in the ribs and not one person really cared. Looking back, that was the worst Mets game I had ever seen.
July 14th 2012: Cockroach
By this point, Valdespin was not really liked by his teammates and after the entire month of July with absolutely no production, he was going to be demoted. Valdespin apparently threw a temper tantrum and called Terry Collins a name one should not call their manager. It came out later that the other 24 players in the locker room backed up Collins, shocking Valdespin.
August 5th 2013: Biogenesis Scandal
This seemed to come out of nowhere and it only reaffirms that Valdespin should not ever step onto Citi Field again. This is sort of the last we heard of Valdespin, except that he was recently re-added to the 40-man roster.
Whether it was a sophomore slump, ‘roid rage or simply enormous ego, Valdespin made a fool of the Mets organization. It seems he never made many friends in the clubhouse, with the arguable exception of Ruben Tejada, which led to his unfortunate immaturity. Clearly Valdespin has some sort of talent to be able to hit for power and steal some bases, the Rule 5 draft will take care of him. Knowing the Mets, they will probably allow him to play his way back into the organization.
If we changed managers, like we should have, Valdespin would have been a useful player. He can play a wide range of position, give you a little pop, and a little speed. A poor man’s Ben Zobrist would be my view. Problem is, no one trusts him and no one cares. He should remain with Backman in Vegas, and come up with him in 2015 when we change GM.
The ship has sailed. Terry Collins did not play Valdespin for 4 consecutive games once during the 2012 season while he was hitting in the .280s and everyone else seemingly was around the Mendoza line. This season he was hitting out of Spring Training and sat — standard practice for Collins with any young ballplayer, particularly one who is showing flashes of productivity. Get rewarded with a seat on the bench. However, Valdespin is no choir boy and dug his own grave with the organization. As a result, I see him bundled off as part of a trade for something and he may well flourish elsewhere. In fact, I have a standing bet on who will have the greater career after leaving the Mets — Valdespin or Ike Davis.
Reese, outstanding comparison. I would take Valdespin, because he needs to grow up, but hustles and has good tools. While Davis has good tools, he does not hustle and we see that he isn’t one to apply himself to correcting flaws.
Are you guys serious? What tools does this “child” have? The only tool in his toolbag is the knack for a few late inning HR’s (probably because he was juicing) He hits less than Lagares, which is really saying something, but he can’t play any position on the field.
Every time he has generously been given playing time, he shows us exactly why we were hesitant to give it to him.
Can’t hit + can’t field + cheater + immature = not for the Mets.
As far as hot dogging a homerun,tons of guys do it,any point in the game,any score.I don’t like it when anyone does it.That kind of crap is in every sport and I loathe it.
Like a JV1 homerun ……going, going, gone!
I was a big proponent of giving him a chance this year. He had his chance, the Mets don’t really need him. time to cut bait.
He’s a goner!!!
I’d stick him on a Greyhound bus in any direction that points away from NY…nothing like “ridin’ the dog” as the perfect departure for the doper.
Valdespin is a great talent. Unfortunately, he plays for the Mets. An organization that is as lost as him. When Valdespin was sent down to Vegas, he went down with a chip on his shoulders and played like he was on a mission to show the Mets the type of player he could be. And that he did. The problem is the Mets used him as a utility player he is not. Managed by an imbecile of a manager who often times says one thing and then does another.
I fully expect Valdespin to take off on another organization once he is traded. Its a shame because all it takes is a manager with gravitas and a proper opportunity to get that player we all want. But this organization has a way of putting players in the dog house and keeping you there. Just look at what they have done with Tejada. But by contrast, it plays marginal ML players who don’t deserve the time because of their “potential”.
Think back at how many chances Murphy got to succeed at 1B, LF, 2B?. Duda at 1B, LF? Ike Davis with his 150 avg? Now think when Valdespin was afforded an opportunity of half a season at 2B or LF? It just never happened.
If instead of Collins, the Mets had someone like Backman as manager, I am sure that he would keep Valdespin focused.
It’s easy to rip Valdespin. After all, look at all the propaganda coming out of the Mets clubhouse. Is Valdespin immature? Yes, but so was Carlos Gomez for Ron Gardenhire for years, now look at him. Is he an a-hole? Yes, but he isn’t the first or the last. Did he get a prolonged CHANCE at playing time? NO!!! When Collins had “an open competition” for centerfield, and Valdespin was lighting up all spring, why didn’t he get first dibs?
Valdespin had heart, and played with passion, and two times in the two years the ESPN crew of Kruk and Hershiser commented on how the ball jumps off his bat. Please give me a list of players on the Mets that have shown both of these attributes.