Ordóñez Confident in Rosario

Down in his hometown of Miami, FL, Rey Ordóñez heard that rumors of the possibility of moving shortstop Amed Rosario to the outfield. His advice is:

Don’t do it. The kid has a bright future.

“I try to see the Mets play every time they come to play the Marlins,” said, Rey, a former shortstop, who was a part of what is almost universally acclaimed as the best defensive infield of all time. “He was so much better the second part of the year. I would just leave him alone. The stuff he has done at such a young age (23) is amazing.”

On Sept. 6, 1999, Sports Illustrated put first baseman John Olerud, second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo, Ordóñez and third baseman Robin Ventura on its cover with the caption “Best Infield Ever?”

“It was just a pleasure to play with those guys,” said Rey, now 47. “We all knew where we were on the field at all times. It was an honor to be their teammates.”

Last year Rosario hit .287 with 30 doubles, 15 homers and 72 RBI.

“I just think his defense will keep getting better and better,” said Ordóñez. “As far as his offense, his stats are something that I only could have dreamed of when I was playing.”