NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Well, that was quick.

If you were watching Jose Reyes’ possible final game with the Mets, you got to see him — for all of one at-bat.

Reyes, on a 1-0 count, legged out a bunt single against the Reds to lead off the bottom of the first on Wednesday. There he stood for a few short moments.

And then, to the shock of those in attendance at Citi Field, he went trotting toward the dugout.

WCBS 880′s Peter Haskell With Fans At Citi Field

Applause for Reyes’ hit turned into a stunned hum — and then the boos rained down as Justin Turner came made his way in as a pinch runner.

Fans Hoping For Better Success Next Year. 1010 WINS’ Al Jones Reports

“The whole day was built around Reyes,” Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen said on SNY. “To have him leave the game so precipitously certainly comes to a shock to everyone watching.”

Fans booed again when Reyes’ replacement at shortstop was introduced by the public address announcer, and on the SNY telecast former Mets star Keith Hernandez called the move “disappointing.”

Signed by the Mets as a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic, Reyes can become a free agent after the World Series ends. In a season interrupted by leg injuries that caused two stints on the disabled list, he scored 101 runs and led the majors with 16 triples

Fans chanced “Please stay Jose!” throughout the ninth inning, and he gave a salute to fans as he was walking off the field afterward. Chants of “Jose Reyes!” continued after he threw his hat into the stands and left the field.

Reyes planned to host 15 to 20 friends at his home for a viewing party Wednesday night. If he wins the title, friends in the Dominican Republic intended to hold a parade for him in his hometown.

Reyes was pulled presumably to protect his lead in the NL batting title race. Compare that to what happened 70 years ago today, when Ted Williams played both ends of a season-ending doubleheader with a .400 average on the line. He went 6-for-8, finishing at .406.

So there it is. Reyes ends his season with a .3371 average — and with Mets history on the line. Brewers star Ryan Braun, currently at .3345, would have to go 3-for-4 tonight to take the batting crown.

The Mets, beset with financial issues, traded Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodriguez during the season, lost David Wright for several months with a back injury and finished their third straight losing season at 77-85, two more losses than last year.

Cincinnati also had a disappointing season, winding up at 79-83 after winning the NL Central last year with a 91-71 record.

Before the game Reds manager Dusty Baker said the Reds were playing to “get off those nines,” but Batista was able to keep Joey Votto and Jay Bruce from rounding out their numbers. Votto went 0 for 3 to end the season with 29 homers and Bruce failed to get the three RBIs he needed for 100.

NOTES: The Mets honored groundskeeper Pete Flynn, who is retiring after 50 years with the organization. … The Reds’ Drew Stubbs ended Mark Reynolds’ run of three straight years leading majors in strikeouts. Stubbs struck out 205 time and Reynolds had 195 heading into the Orioles’ season finale Wednesday night. … The Mets announced an attendance 28,816 for the finale, giving them a final attendance of 2,352,596, a drop of about 7 percent from last year and their lowest total since 2004, when they played at Shea Stadium.

What do you have to say about the Mets pulling Reyes? Be heard in the comments below…