Jun
9
2012

Don’t Blame Collins For Santana’s Bad Start

An article by John Delcos

SANTANA: Didn't have it.

There’s a lot of reasons to like Terry Collins, and falling on the sword last night for Johan Santana’s bad outing is another one of them. Collins lamented all week of running up Santana’s pitch count.

He did it again after the Yankees shelled Santana last night, saying all those home runs was the result of rust.

“I am responsible for the way he pitched,” Collins said. “He was rusty. The command of his stuff was not as sharp as it’s been the past three or four or five starts. It was my doing tonight. … We erred on the side of caution, and it cost us the game.”

The Mets lost 9-1, so there were a lot of reasons why they lost. It was admirable of Collins to take the blame – other Mets managers failed to do so – but it wasn’t needed.

Collins attributed Santana’s rust to pushing him back two days after the lefty ace’s 134-pitch no-hitter. Collins said he did it out of caution. Remember, this was a $20-million pitcher coming off shoulder surgery. Collins was in a no-win situation last week. He either kept Santana in the game and possibly risk injury or pull him and the no-hitter is gone.

Santana said he could have gone on regular rest, but also said he was on board with Collins’ decision. Santana said last night was just one of those things and there’s no other way to think of it.

Santana had been of a sharp roll, so maybe he was due. Santana’s command was off, but his velocity was there and that’s one way to judge his shoulder was fine.

There’s no telling when a pitcher’s arm will give out. Nolan Ryan’s lasted for over 20 years, then one day something went. It happens, and it happens in a variety of ways.

Right now, Santana is pitching well for the most part and is healthy. He could remain this way for the rest of his career, or next month could run into problems. We’re after the fact now; he’s pitched since the 134-pitch game. If something happens in the future it would be impossible to pin it on the no-hitter.

Just enjoy Santana now for what he’s done, and also be grateful for a guy like Collins, who continually shows he’s the right guy for the job.

About the Author: John Delcos

I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.

7 Comments + Add Comment

Mr North Jersey June 9, 2012 at 12:13 pm

I’m beginning to see a trend this morning on MMO.
- Metsie June 9, 2012 at 12:30 pm
  
  Yep and as I said in the other thread…
  If Santana had gotten hurt last night and lost for a significant period of time they would all be slamming Terry for not pulling him in the No-Hitter instead of resting him the extra day and costing us 1 win.
  
  He made the risky and high reward move last week.
  We shouldn’t take him to task and complain because he took some extra caution to keep Johan healthy the rest of the season.
  
  There was no decision Terry could make where he could win unless Johan pitched a shutout or won the game last night.
Angelo June 9, 2012 at 1:07 pm

Terry Collins is , overall, a very good manager, at least he fits perfect . LETS GO METS
srt June 9, 2012 at 1:16 pm

No matter what the reason for Johan’s bad outing last night – aside from the health of that arm…..I’ll glady trade off that loss last night for his no hitter.

Here’s hoping he’s back on track in five days.
Met Maniac June 9, 2012 at 3:04 pm

Delcos, it’s hard not to blame Collins when Collins blames Collins. Just saying.
- Metsie June 9, 2012 at 3:22 pm
  
  Well yes he took the hit on himself…And sure he could have just let it go and let Santana pitch his normal sched…I don’t really see how it helps the game yesterday either way but it might have helped the in the Nat’s series.
  
  He would have pitched the Hefner game if he stayed on schedule.
  
  He took the cautious route and if he hadn’t and Santana got hurt vs the Nats and was lost for a chunk of the season he would have been crucifed as well…
  
  He’s a stand up guy who takes the blame when he deserves it so I don’t see a need to kill him over taking the over cautious route and having it cost one game instead of 10.
METS62FAN June 10, 2012 at 10:02 am

ACTUALLY, REST OR NO REST NO-HITTER OR NOT, SANTANA’;S PERFORMANCE FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE SUBWAY SERIES WAS ON PAR WITH HUIS NYM HISTORICAL PERFORMANCES IN THE SUBWAY SERIES SINCE 2008:
YEAR DATE W/L SCORE IP ER

2008 6/28 L 3-2 6.0 3
5/17 W 7-4 7.0 4

2009 6/14 L 15-0 3.0 9

2010 6/20 L 4-0 6.0 4
5/23 W 6-4 8.0 1

2011 DNP

2012 6/08 L 9-1 5.0 6

SANTANA
OVERALL 2-4 35IP 27ER = 2W-4L 6.94 ERA SUBWAY SERIES RECORD

THERE’S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT KLEIG LIGHTS IN NY THAT JOHAN SEEMS TO WILT UNDER RATHER THAN FLOURISH!

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