Today’s edition of This Day In Mets Infamy With Rusty has been cancelled so we can bring you this interview that the Flushing Flash News letter conducted with newly hired Mets manager, Terry Collins.
November 29, 2010
Dear Mets Fans:
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
As you know, Mets Manager Terry Collins met with the New York media last Tuesday. You might have seen or heard Terry on television and radio, or read about his introductory press conference.
We thought you might enjoy reading the following exclusive Q & A with Terry that we are sharing with Flushing Flash Insiders.
Flushing Flash: Terry, congratulations. Thanks for taking the time to sit with us.
FF: What can Mets fans expect from you?
Terry Collins: They are going to get energy, and a work ethic that is second to none. We are going to be a team that is prepared, which I hope leads to better execution. Our fans can expect a team that is going to win.
FF: How would you describe yourself?
TC: Intense, caring, I care about the game and the way it’s played. I competed to the max when I played, because I had to. Have I mellowed? Yeah, a little bit. But I’m still competitive.
FF: What’s the most fun for you?
TC: Watching your team succeed, when you watch and execute something you really believe in.
FF: What are your biggest frustrations?
TC: Guys who don’t care if they win or lose.
FF: What are important qualities in players?
TC: Preparation. I know I have the intensity and the love of the game. The players, they are all very gifted and get themselves prepared to play on a nightly basis. This is where my focus is going to be. They also need to have the ability to adjust.
FF: Is there anything you want to say to Mets fans?
TC: There are 30 teams all trying to figure out how to win. I want the fans to know that we are going to work hard and not be outworked. Nobody is going to be more prepared on a daily basis than us. I believe in winning and talking about winning, you need to have that swagger.
FF: How do you get that swagger?
TC: You need to get everybody to understand they are good enough. Bad times happen and you have to learn how to rebound. We have to move on and pick ourselves up. I will talk to every single player on the roster. There is a new attitude here, what happened in the past remains in the past.
FF: How do you get the players on your side?
TC: You have to be on each others side first. It’s still a team game. They have to rely on each other, team unity, and what a team is about, and what every guy on this team brings to the team framework. Every player wants to be a champion, if they truly believe that, they will leave their egos at the door. In my background, with one year of knowing these players, the makeup is here, the attitude is here.
FF: Thanks for your time, Terry. Good luck!
I promise that your favorite daily column written by moi will be back tomorrow !!
8 comments
kingman 26
11/29/2010-6:09pm at 6:09 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks Rusty! I really have liked what I have seen and heard from Collins so far.
Rusty–I think you misinterpreted my comments on the list of pitchers you published yesterday–I very much appreciated the list and swear I was just commenting on the quality of the pitchers and NOT on your publishing of it, which was great!
Just wanted to clear that up….
rustyjr
11/29/2010-6:20pm at 6:20 pm (UTC -4)
No offense was taken kong – damn the news coming out of citi field is non existent lol
Ceetar
11/29/2010-6:39pm at 6:39 pm (UTC -4)
The initial word was that the Mets were going to take some time, probably up to the Winter Meetings, to evaluate the organization and players and get more of a game plan. While some of it seems obvious (need pitchers, need relievers, etc) they really don’t know the team that well and need to get their data in order. (i.e. do they ahve minor leaguers they trust if an Oufielder gets hurt, or do they think they need to get a bench guy? Do they have enough left handed power, or do they want to look for a backup infielder that can do that too?)
rustyjr
11/29/2010-6:52pm at 6:52 pm (UTC -4)
Some how I think this number 5 million dollars is a misnomer – I’m sure there is at least 5-10 million dollars in the coffers to spend not including the arbitration raises
Ceetar
11/29/2010-6:55pm at 6:55 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think there is a hard and fast number at all.
rustyjr
11/29/2010-6:56pm at 6:56 pm (UTC -4)
well all I hear is everyone complaining that we only have 5 mil to spend – I think thats baloney
metsfan4decades
11/29/2010-7:28pm at 7:28 pm (UTC -4)
I’m with you guys. Is there a self imposed top dollar limit the Wilpons have put out there? If yes, I don’t think any of us know what that is. So where is it that everyone keeps coming up with this ’5 MIL to spend’ mindset?
Are they just going by what the payroll was 2 years ago or even last year and assuming the Wilpons won’t go over it?
I’m not saying we need to go out and throw money at some top dollar FA, but if it makes sense to spend a couple of million more for a starter or catcher, I sure hope that will not be a problem.
oleosmirf
11/29/2010-7:24pm at 7:24 pm (UTC -4)
remember the Mets aren’t giving out a multi-year deal to any SP on the FA list so they are most likely waiting until the agents give up on pushing for a 2 year deal.