In claiming Mets 1B Ike Davis (above, left, the club’s only power source of note during a humiliating 2nd half) is on the trading block, ESPN’s Adam Rubin adds the following, somewhat disturbing aside :
The Mets are disappointed with Davis’ unwillingness to make changes based on coaching advice. Although he is personable and by no means a troublemaker, they also worry — fairly or unfairly — he is out too late after games, and that could influence other young players.
Reached for his side of the story by the New York Daily News’ Andy Martino, Davis didn’t appreciate the anonymous burial.
“I have never missed games or not been ready to work because of anything to do with staying up too late,” Davis told the Daily News Tuesday morning. “I show up every day. I play hard. It is unfair to me, and it doesn’t make sense.”
While the 25-year-old said that, since he does not often leave the ballpark until midnight, he is sometimes out a few hours after that — the norm among many in baseball — he does not do so in excess.
“I just don’t understand it, because I have always been able to play, except for one freak ankle injury,” Davis said, referring to the 2011 on-field collision that ended his season.”
Who’d have thought the current administration in Flushing would be taking personnel tips from Bobby Valentine?