1
2011
Collins Passed His First Major Test With Flying Colors
An article by Craig Lerner
When the Mets hired Terry Collins to be their manager, there was no warm reception for him from the fan base. In fact most of us questioned the decision and would have wanted anyone, but him. He was the guy that quit in the middle of his contract during his last managing stint, soon after he alienated his players and presided over a divisive clubhouse. That was then and this is now.
Terry Collins has repeatedly said that his checkered past as a manager taught him a valuable lesson and that he would prove as manager of the Mets that he has learned much from his past experiences.
This whole Beltran and Pagan thing would be his first major test. One misstep and the team could have been thrust into chaos, but instead it was a seamless transition that left the team with good feelings all around. It was poetry in motion.
“As a manager, when you’re going to face a situation where you’re thinking about a position change with a star player, you’re hoping and you’re praying that it goes like this,” Collins said. “You’re hoping your star walks in and tells you, ‘Hey, look, this is what’s best for this team at this particular moment. You’ll have no problem with me. Now let’s get ready to play.’ That’s what you’re hoping for. But you’ve got to be ready for them to say, ‘No, I’m a center fielder here.’
Thanks to Collins, one of the big questions going into camp has already been decided. Pagan will patrol center field, and Beltran will take over in right. Everyone gets what they wanted and their were no bruised egos in the process.
“I was prepared to give him his seven to 10 days,” Collins said. “Actually, I thought for sure he was going to want to try to probably play a couple of games in center field before he made the decision. But when he came in this morning he said, ‘Look, it just doesn’t make any sense. We need to move forward. You’ve got to get Angel [Pagan] ready. I’ve got to get ready.’
“It’s got to send a huge message in that clubhouse that it’s about the team — a huge message coming from this guy. This guy is an All-Star, and until he probably hurt his knee one of the absolute best center fielders in the game.”
You passed your first big test as manager of the Mets Terry, welcome to the fold.
About the Author: Craig Lerner
I'm a data analyst and researcher for a leading news agency who loves life and is hooked on the Mets. I love following the Amateur Draft and have a particular fondness for the Mets Minor Leagues who I follow each day. Give me a cold beer, a summer day, and a Mets game, and I'm good to go.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 25 | 18 | .581 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 21 | .523 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 21 | 23 | .477 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 17 | 24 | .415 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 12 | 32 | .273 | 13.5 |
Last updated: 05/19/2013
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What a selfish jerk that only cares about himself!!
/sarcasm
Im talking sbout Beltran in case theres any confusion.
not much of a test, considering that beltran has been so profesional about it.
if beltran had been a jerk about it, then it would have been a test.
Well I don’t really know you can give credit to Collins when it was all Beltran who initiated it.
I for one was not unhappy about Collins and I think he will be just fine but this is not a crisis he himself handled.
It should serve more as a punch in the face to all those who think Beltran is a selfish bastard and not a team player.
To be fair Collins gave Beltran the respect of trusting his judgment and Beltran gave Collins the respect of giving him his honest assessment in a timely fashion.
Collins gave respect to Beltran and earned respect by doing so.
Beltran gave respect to Collins and in turn earned even more respect than he had before.
By affording Beltran the respect a person and player like him deserves Collins not only skillfully manuvered around a potentially difficult situation, he got the two players involved to buy into it which is the most important part of the whole thing.
Anyone could write 8 or 9 next to someone’s name on a line up card, to get the best play possible from the guy you wrote 8 or 9 next to is the tricky part of managing.
Seems to me Collins handled it the best it could have, of course none of that would have mattered if he was dealing with less than class individuals, and I include Pagan in that as well.
Yes and got crucified for giving that respect to him!
Remember all the “Why are the Players running the team?” quotes around here?
I do believe Collins handled it properly but he really shouldn’t get Kudos for what happened. Beltran should. Collins gets credit for giving Beltran the opportunity to show the naysayers up though!