The Mets have not really had a manager who had a presence since Bobby Valentine. Art Howe had the presence of a man ready to be put out to pasture. Willie Randolph was all about rules and regulations. Jerry Manuel played puppet to those above him. With the addition of Terry Collins, this seems to be changing.
Since becoming the new boss in the dugout, Collins has already had a series of meetings with what seem to be the key players in the 2011 season. He has laid down the law and set expectations. There are no favorites, which is a welcomed change. Even better, there is no fear on the behalf of Collins on how the players will treat him. In the mind of Collins, and GM Sandy Alderson, it will be an all out battle to keep, or attain, a particular job for a number of players. Some of these players include Carlos Beltran and Luis Castillo. The size of a player’s contract means nothing which is refreshing considering the whole situation with Oliver Perez.
For now it seems the players are on board. Not that they really had much of a choice. After multiple failing seasons, instead of the new manager having to adapt, it is the players who will have to do the adapting. It seems evident Collins will not stand for a mutiny, like many believe caused the firing of Randolph and Manuel where certain players stopped playing for them.
This is Collins’ show to run. He has every intention of running it too. The time when the players had a say in how things are done is over and this man has no intention of naming a captain. With great reason. The Mets have never needed a captain to get the World Series. They have only had captains after they have gotten to Fall Classic like Keith Hernandez from 1987-1989, Gary Carter 1988-1989 and John Franco 2001-2004. Collins must rule with an iron first. He has two years to do it in before possibly another, (perhaps Wally Backman?), steps in.
One element that has been lacking with this team has been the ability to perform fundamentals. When it comes to fielding, at times they seem a little helter skelter making silly mistakes like overthrowing a ball or not catching a ball they should have. When they run the bases, they do not seem too focused. Collins had stated in an interview with WFAN’s Mike Francesa back in January that spring training will be all about fundamentals. It will be a refresher course, which will hopefully also offer some discipline. In cases like with Jose Reyes, sometimes the minds of the players sometimes seem to be on everything except the game they are playing.
Collins has set the tone of this camp. He has set the tone for this season. It is now up to the players to get in line, listen to what they are being told, and perform to the best of their ability. I feel strongly that Collins will get this team to perform at their best, which is something Manuel was not able to do.
Collins was not my first choice to be the manager but I’ve got an open mind. For me, the first real test will be the roster he takes with him out of Spring Training.
Good piece. At least Collins has the gall to cal out laziness and the overall ineptitude the previous regimes tolerated. I’m willing to give TC a chance.
“It seems evident Collins will not stand for a mutiny, like many believe caused the firing of Randolph and Manuel where certain players stopped playing for them.”
He may not stand for it, but the players won’t stand for him if they mutiny. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the very definition of the word that subordinates disregard and replace their leader against his/her will? Hopefully the players can find success and learn to live with a stricter clubhouse.