Peter Hyatt - How Yoenis Cespedes Can Win Back Fans

Monday night, with the tying run at the plate, the righty ran the count to 3-0

"I don't know if I have ever seen anyone swing at 3-0 when down by 3" Ron Darling said, anticipating that Cespedes would not swing at 3-0 with two on and down by 3 in the 9th.  

All three announcers were shocked when Cespedes ground into a game ending double play ball, with the Flushing Faithful raining down boos upon Cespedes.  This is something El Hombre could not abide.  He quickly showered and left Citi Field.  

Gary Cohen exclaimed, "How about that!  Swinging at a 3-0 pitch when down by 3!"

"My goodness!"  Keith Hernandez added.  

"Wow!  I don't second guess, but 3-0 you do not swing at an outside pitch!" 

For the 3rd time this month, Cespedes refused to take questions from the media, leaving the heavy and most unpleasant responsibility to others.  

They hate it.  

They hate it that it has to be done, but they hate it more that he keeps leaving it for others while he collects the biggest paycheck. 

They hate it.  

New York media did not take kindly to it.  The first time they were very polite with "Cespedes declines..." but the second time, it was a bit more testy.  

New York media responded this time with unflattering reports on Cespedes and even Terry Collins weighed in with "There's nothing wrong with him physically" leaving the "mentally" unnecessary to address.  New York media well knows what a head case he is, but he gets a pass with each home run he hits, and then some.  

Yet, it is has been quite a while since his last blast.  

Yoenis Cespedes, El Hombre, got booed in his own stadium by home fans.  

What can Cespedes do to turn around the booing from Mets fans?

Sportsfans are notoriously forgiving when there is productivity.  It is the nature of the beast.  However, Cespedes should consider that given his contract, and the great expectations that come with it, and the fact that he is aging, has 3 more years here, and his legs are giving him trouble, applying a bit of intelligent response would go a long way. 

1.  Stop ducking media, own up to your team responsibilities.  Ducking out looks cowardly and your teammates that do have to face media, resent you.  

In the last 3 duckings, you went hitless each time.  But when you had a few hits, you reveled in the attention. 

You don't think this is lost on fans or the press, do you?

2.  Hustle 

The other day, you ran out an infield hit, hustled on the base paths, slid, and used your cannon of an arm in the outfield.  Yes, you were glad to meet with media this day, but more importantly, you showed us that you can hustle when you want to.  Stop with the excuses.  You hustle and claim to be healthy, but the next day, just as healthy, you do not hustle, do not hit and want excuses?
Do not leave it up to the Mets PR people to lie for you with some ridiculous "family are here" story.  

They resent it and it will narrow down your choice of guesses when it comes to "anonymous" leaks from the clubhouse.  They get paid a lot less than you do and they do not like to have to give silly sounding lies to cover for your selfishness. 

3.  Stop with the Spanish already.  

They all know you do not need an interpreter.  Everyone understands that you do not want to be hit unjustly by media, but so far, you have not even begun to know how rotten, vicious  and unfair media can be, especially in New York.  Keep ducking them and you will, however, get a lesson or two. 

 Instead, just speak your mind and answer questions.  Don't say you need an interpreter who just happens to not be available...over and over, and then go chat it up with your car service in English.  

Players who give maximum effort on the field; the ones who sacrifice, get dirty uniforms and make that special extra effort, are cheered, even when production is down. 

When you tore up the lawn in left field the other night, did you not hear the cheers?  You missed the ball but fans respected the effort in trying.  This is New York.  The fans are more sophisticated and passionate about their team than in other cities.  

4.  Support your teammates. 

come up lame?

Ok, but even on the DL, show up for games and sit in the dugout.  You are the big star.  You make $110 million dollars; money that young kids dream of making.  They want to emulate you.  They wish they had media circled around them in the locker room.  They know what it translates into later on.  Give them something to emulate.  Just show up, show some interest, and encourage them.  

You congratulated Michael Conforto on a great catch the other night. You know, the night you did not hit a home run but hustled your butt off.  

 He was very surprised but he was also grinning from ear to ear.  He is a kid still, mature, yes, but he is still young in this league. 

  This was good that you did it, but players should not be surprised by your support.  You want to be El Hombre?  Lead by example and support.  

You refused to do this in Boston and they hated you. You refused to play in the silly reindeer games and be just one of the guys.  They resented you for it.   Learn from mistakes. 

 Lighten up in the clubhouse.  Its not all about you; it is about team.  

You've got one helluva bat.  Share tips with the struggling.  Inspire them with example.  Let D'Arnaud know you've been there and he can get through it.  Tell TJ how he can find a way into the line up.  

5.  Tone it Down

You're a big tough guy.  Lose 70% of the jewelry and 90% of the hockey equipment.  Tone down the neon signs from head to toe.  All the crap you wear can't be good for sprinting.  You are playing in front of NYC crowds and fans are watching you on television by the millions, hit home runs.  You don't need to draw any more attention to yourself than you already get. 


We love humility here.  It is a sign of strength.  We love rough, tumble disheveled Rocky knocking down  polished and pretty Apollo Creed.   We're a forgiving bunch.  Give what you got and fans will love you.  Immodesty, dismissiveness and indifference will bring disdain.  

Let Reyes do his silly posing and his "cat claws."  Let big mouthed locker room poison Astrubel bat flip his way to another team. 

You're here for the duration.  Even if they wanted to move you, they'd have to eat a lot of crow and a lot of contract.  If Alderson is still here, you may know well:  Alderson don't eat no crow.  

Conclusion: 

Yoenis Cespdes can win back some of what he has lost in the Mets clubhouse.  This can lead quickly to fan perception.  

Friendship in the clubhouse has to go beyond just Reyes and Cabrera. These two may be gone shortly and there won't be too many warm fuzzies left for him if he does not make an effort.  

The pitchers will be the first to welcome him as they love what a home run can do to turn a team around, and the younger players will love the star taking time out to encourage others.  When pitchers get bailed out by the HR or the diving catch, they don't care who the source is, they just love it.  

This will carry over to the fans. 

Even injured, we love our heroes giving it their all.  Rusty Staub played when he could barely hold a bat and only threw underhand, not to be arrogant, but due to injury and the list of heroes who played injured is endless.  

Cespedes can do it.  

He can support his team mates and be a good foot solder who just happens to hold high rank due to his contract. 

He showed us he knows how to hustle.  

The boos can turn to cheers with a single home run, true enough.  

But with 3 years ahead of him, age and injuries, it may take more than just home runs to endear himself. 

Cespedes can do it.