Jun
11
2011

Terry Collins Has Instilled Fight In The 2011 Mets

An article by Dan Valis

Since the second Terry Collins arrived the sound and the tone of team changed. It was a new voice, with new ideas, new batting orders and a whole new way to play the game. ”If nothing else, we are going to play hard and the play the game the way it’s supposed to be played” is what Collins has preached from day one. Terry has come as advertised, and has held people accountable for their actions on and off the field.

While the whole mindset that Collins instilled in spring training has had an affect on this year’s team for the better. The fact that this roster continues to be ravaged by countless injuries to top players has not changed a bit. The only difference is that the guys who are fragile are playing everyday, while the guys who have no history of injuries are taking their turn sitting on the DL.

We are shorthanded in every facet of our team, as we are missing key players in the rotation, the infield, and the outfield (since Bay is off in la la land). Terry has instilled the will to fight in the guys who suit up everyday and take the field. He has them playing to the last pitch, as we have seen with late rallies. Instead of laughing off a mistake in a press conference, like Jerry Manuel did. Terry addresses every mistake in the dugout immediately after it occurs, and uses it as a teaching tool. This team is aggressive, taking extra bases, stealing bases and making aggressive plays on defense.

In this season alone, they have dug a hole and fought back to the brink of moving over .500 three separate times now in the first 60 plus games. To me this is the most telling sign of the change in thinking being instilled in these guys from the new regime.

1. We started out 5-13, fought back to 11-13 after a 6 game winning streak, only to falter and fall back to 11-17.

2. They then went 11-5 in their next 16 games, hit the .500 mark at 22-22 in a win over the yanks, only to falter once again losing 6 of their next 7 games to fall to 23-28.

3. Since then they are 8-4, and today have clawed their way back to the brink of .500 again, 31-32 entering tonight’s game with the Pirates.

It has been exciting, and makes for some very interesting story lines. There have been so many young guys step up, and players like Turner and Gee who may be solidifying themselves as starters with their opportunities. I am beginning to feel like we may have a shot. With the team playing this way, there is a very real possibility that we could be a .500 team when the reinforcements of Davis, Wright and Johan return. Could we actually be buyers and not sellers at the deadline? That could be the case if we are in the race. I hope so; all I want is to see some meaningful baseball into September.

LET’S GO METS!

For more of my insights, come visit me at BigAppleMetsTalk.

About the Author: Dan Valis

I am a staff writer for Mets Merized Online. I am a Mets team analyst with a focus on the minor league system, as well as the major league club. I am a lifelong New Yorker who was born and raised to be a Mets fan. The ups and downs of being a Mets fan is what makes following this team so much fun, but at times so frustrating. You can follow me on Twitter @BgAppleMetsTalk.

8 Comments + Add Comment

Squidoo June 11, 2011 at 4:04 pm

He has his brain farts occasionally during games, but he’s done a heck of a job keeping this team focused all season long. He’s a great communicator and knows hao to keep this group motivated. I’ve become a big Terry Collins fan!
Annie Savoy June 11, 2011 at 4:50 pm

Terry Collins has shown that he is a player’s manager. He talks to each of them every day and that way he knows what is really going on. These players have really taken to Terry and it’s a close knit group in that dugout and clubhouse. These men will never forget Terry Collins and vice versa. It’s a brotherhood for the Mets this season.
oktoday June 11, 2011 at 5:04 pm

The team really does have a chance to get into the playofs. But there may be a reason why that could not happen if the regulars come back and do not do good but stay in their regular possitions, such as Wright. If he does not start to hit like he did before his head job, then management m u s t make a move. Especially since since the new kids are doing so good.
oktoday June 11, 2011 at 5:07 pm

And by the way, it would be a good idea if the fans start comming to more games, for the team needs the money in order to keep its progress.
Mr North Jersey June 11, 2011 at 5:36 pm

Still a lot of baseball yet to be played especially with the Dog days of Summer still ahead of the Mets but looking at the season so far it’s hard to imagine Jerry Manuel doing a better job than TC has. TC has looked like the right manager at the right time for this team up to now.

Maybe the best move made this off season by Alderson was in picking TC as his manager to start the rebuilding of these Mets.

LGM!
Alan June 12, 2011 at 9:45 am

A shot at the playoffs? Not likely but for this to be a successful season we need to continue to show the fight that our manager has instilled in these players. That fight would more than likely continue as long as there isn’t a trade of Jose Reyes or even a K-Rod. If the Mets hold a fire sale at the trade deadline we will know for sure that Fred and Jeff feel that it is hopeless to survive the Madoff law suits and that the new partner’s money was just a way to keep the ship afloat for a while longer. The wins and losses will be determined by a few things….

If Santana comes back…will he be effective

If we get back David Wright and Ike Davis and they are gonna be swinging their bats well

If Terry Collins can continue to bring along Dillon Gee, Jon Neise, Pelfrey and the rest!

If Carlos Beltran stays healthy and keeps producing this year!

LOTS OF IFS…..YA THINK?
francis June 12, 2011 at 10:38 am

the best move of this year unfortunately was having reyes contract expire. this team would be absolute crap without him.

i hate to say it, but that fred wilpon line: “he thinks he’s going to get carl crawford money …” may have been the match that lit the fire.
martin June 12, 2011 at 1:20 pm

this is all meaningless. during a losing streak people say that the team is poorly managed and listless.

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