Quiet Kevin McReynolds a Big Hit in New York

Now that the New York Mets have finally made a race of it, you’ll hear lots of reasons why:

-- The pitching is healed at last, which it is.

-- Journeyman Terry Leach saved the starting rotation, which he did.

-- Howard Johnson looks like an MVP, which he does.

For two reasons, you won’t hear much about Kevin McReynolds. first, no one ever hears anything about Kevin McReynolds, even though Mets Coach Bud Harrelson calls him “the best defensive left fielder we’ve ever had.” Second, McReynolds has played the second half pretty much the way he played the first: quietly and consistently.

“He’s not a hot and cold player,” said Mets second baseman Wally Backman.

With this consistency and style, McReynolds did his part to keep the Mets from falling out of the National League East race. At age 27, he has done much to justify the trade that brought him from San Diego to New York. He has appeared at the plate more than 550 times this year, and he usually disappears when the interviews start.

Joe McIlvaine, the Mets executive who made the trade, chuckles at McReynolds’ ability to avoid attention.

“On this team it’s good that there is someone (like that),” McIlvaine said. “This is a rather high-profile team.”

While those other Mets receive more attention, this native of Little Rock, Ark., has done more than simply handle the pressure of New York. He has shown he’s a better player than people thought when he came.

“I think I lot of people didn’t know how good a player he was except the people playing against him,” said Backman. “I thought he was a good player but there is not a better left fielder.”

“I consider him a Gold Glover,” added New York catcher Gary Carter.

McReynolds played three full seasons in San Diego and, though he helped the Padres win their only pennant, he and the front office quarrelled. He came to New York Dec. 11, 1986, with Gene Walter and Adam Ging for Kevin Mitchell, two highly valued prospects in Shawn Abner and Stanley Jefferson, plus Kevin Armstrong and Kevin Brown.

Though McReynolds looked like the right-handed power hitter New York wanted, doubts persisted. He looked like a loafer in the field, and he didn’t get along with Dick Williams, who was managing the Padres then. Besides, why does a runaway champion trade its best prospects for anybody? The biggest doubt involved New York itself: Let’s see the kid from Arkansas adjust from San Diego to New York.

“When you scout a player, you have to go beyond outward appearances,” McIlvaine said. “It’s easy to get fooled. Kevin is just an even-tempered guy.”

While Dwight Gooden underwent treatment for drug abuse; while Howard Johnson has had his bat inspected for cork; while Manager Dave Johnson lost his cool on a road trip in Atlanta, and while Carter has been booed at Shea Stadium, McReynolds has just played.

Through 138 games, he was hitting .282 and nearing career highs with 25 homers and 81 RBI. He can move a runner from second to third, or drive one home from first. He can steal a base or go from first to third, and he does it without seeming to break a sweat. He plays in a tuxedo, as the old expression goes. His tux contains no wrinkle, either.

“I think it’s possible the front office in San Diego didn’t know what kind of player I was,” McReynolds said in a short interview he granted before batting practice. “I have a fluid motion that makes it seem like I’m loafing.”

“Don’t let him lie to you,” one of his teammates teased. “He is loafing.”

He certainly has become expert at avoiding attention. In a recent 11-5 rout of the Phils, teammate Darryl Strawberry hit two homers and pitcher Rick Aguilera won his fifth straight start. The Mets played errorless ball and appeared as ready as anyone for a pennant charge. But who had very quietly singled and scored the winning run? McReynolds had.

“My wife tapes all my at-bats,” he said. “I’m astonished. I see a swing where it doesn’t even look like I’m swinging a bat. Believe me, though, when I’m in a game it feels like I’m expending energy.”

Like most athletes, McReynolds seems to spend little time or energy reflecting on his talent. He doesn’t even try to explain his ability. He simply has it. And uses it.