Matthew Cerrone
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This video is from 2011, during which we followed around new Mets manager Terry Collins, who was running his first Spring Training after being hired the previous November. First of all, it’s weird to see so many old faces running around in the background, from Jose Reyes to Jason Bay to Chip Hale. Also, I totally forgot about how prominent the color black still was in the uniform scheme back then. Lastly, and least significantly, I’m about 30 pounds lighter, which tells you everything you need to know about having two kids within a four-year span.
Anyway, this video captures the agelessness of Collins, who is now 66-years-old. He entered this October ninth on the all-time list of games coached without a playoff appearance. Tuesday night, he and his team will take the field in Kansas City to face the Royals in Game 1 of the World Series.
The thing I always admired about Terry is that, unlike a guy like Wally Backman, or some of the new managers getting gigs around the game, he had to earn the respect of his players. I’m pretty sure they had no idea who he was before hearing his name, unless they happened to be in the minor league system the previous year while he was their Minor League field coordinator.
Collins did not join the Mets with a big reputation. He never played in the big leagues. Yes, he had been a big-league manager earlier in his career. However, David Wright was 17 years old and still playing high school ball when Collins last managed before the Mets.
In his five seasons at the helm, he’s done a terrific job managing the situation around him. I know him to work in close contact with his coaching staff, who help him check in on players and keep his finger on the pulse of his clubhouse. He’s also done a fantastic job handling reporters using a mix of unique phrases, humble gaffes and blatant honesty. He has been able to keep the noise away from his players, while helping to craft narratives that tend to dictate public opinion.
He may not be the best baseball tactician, and I have a real concern about how he may handle the bullpen in a seven-game World Series, but there is no denying that he’s been great with the players, motivated them, built trust, created loyalty and inspired these guys to keep fighting from his first day of the season to the World Series.
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