Two weeks ago it was announced the Mets were returning their entire coaching staff for the 2017 season. As Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports, Terry Collins confirmed it could be the last rodeo for him as he may retire after the 2017 season.
When Collins signed his two year contract extension last offseason it was presumed it was going to be his last two years wearing a major league uniform. While Collins has always appeared spry and full of life, especially in post-game press conferences, the travel has taken its toll on Collins.
Collins confirmed this saying, “It takes a toll on everybody. You talk to the players. If you noticed, that Labor Day game was the day we gave everybody off because they were stinking beat.”
“This travel is hard, especially with the late-night scheduling that is prevalent throughout baseball. There are so many night games where you’re traveling after the game and getting into towns at 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning. And the next thing you know, if you ever have a day game pop up on you, it’s tough to do.”
However, Collins did not completely rule out seeking to return after the 2017 year.
“I just need to re-evaluate at the end of this coming year what’s going on, where I am, how I’m feeling. I’ve always said a lot of it will be dictated by how I’m feeling. This was a tough year.”
Should next season be Collins’ last year, he has a chance to get to .500 as a manager with the Mets. He will also most likely surpass Bobby Valentine for second place for most wins as a Mets manager.
However, what is most important to all is that Collins becomes the first Mets manager to get the team to three consecutive postseasons. More importantly, everyone wants to see him join Gil Hodges and Davey Johnson as the only Mets managers to win a World Series.
Should that happen, Collins has an opportunity to go out on top.
