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Ramirez

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It's difficult for me to admit, because I'm a Met fan, but Hanley Ramirez is the better shortstop. It's a slim edge, but, nonetheless, an edge.

In the last two weeks, I saw the Mets and Marlins play seven games, four in Florida, three in New York. Both Ramirez and Reyes are five tool players. They have skills others would die for. Both are 24-years-old. While Reyes steals more bases and hits more triples, Ramirez slugs more homers.

Both are outstanding defensively. They range wide to either side and turn the double play better than anyone. I saw Ramirez make a couple of uncharacteristic errors in the series in Florida, but Reyes failed to run out a fair ball at Shea that he thought was going foul.

Both have a chance to become superstars and will have long and rewarding careers. I give Ramirez a slight edge over Reyes because he is more mature. He plays a smarter brand of baseball. Reyes has to learn to stop showboating, particularly when he hits a home run and does a funky dance after he crosses home plate. He does a custom high five with teammate Carlos Delgado. That ticks off the other team.

Jose has to learn to temper his emotions. On the next to the last day of the season on Saturday, Sept. 29, the Mets' Luis Castillo was nearly hit by a pitch. He made a motion toward the Marlins pitcher and both benches and bullpens cleared. Later that same inning, Jose Reyes was standing on third base. The Marlins were making a pitching change. For some inexplicable reason, Jose Reyes raises his arms and motions Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo to come over to him. Olivo charged toward Reyes and another brawl ensued.

At that point, I was embarrassed by Reyes' actions. I was ashamed to be a Mets fan. This is where Reyes must grow up. You don't show up another team. After that game, a 13-0 Mets win, Ramirez said he would play on the final day of the season even if he had a broken leg. He disdained the Mets. He wanted to bury the Mets. I couldn't blame him. Indeed, on the final day of the season, Ramirez and the Marlins crushed the Mets' playoff hopes for '07.

But there will be a next year. And Ramirez and Reyes will showcase their talents again. At such a young age, they're both so blessed with skills.

Learn more about this author, David Skolnik.
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