“This team has been accused of folding it up,” Collins said. “I disagree with that. I disagreed when I heard it. I know those guys in that locker room. I know what they’re made of. I know what their personalities are. And when you don’t hit, it looks like you don’t care. That’s just the nature of the game. When you don’t hit, there’s no action going on. It looks like you’ve folded it up. And they have not.
“They’re going to play it out. There’s guys playing for jobs. There’s guys playing for careers. And there’s still a lot of fight. Hopefully in the next 34 games, or 33 games — whatever we’ve got left – we’ll see it.”
Yesterday before the Mets defeated the Phillies by the score of 9-5, it was reported that Terry Collins still felt that they had a good chance of finishing in third place. Well as more than likely heard the outrage on the radio or on Twitter of Terry’s comments.
If you have been living under a rock as of yesterday, it seems there is a segment of loyal Mets fans that would rather see the Mets tank the season just to get a better position in next years amateur draft. That is all well and good but you can see why Terry is in a tough spot.
If Terry decides to manage the team like Jerry Manuel did he will be labeled a quitter. If he tries to wring out every ounce of effort from this team he is wasting his time.
So I ask this question – ” since when is finishing in third place at or above .500 a bad thing ?” I would rather see this team improve in record and in the final standing by the seasons end than wallowing in self pity hoping that the next season could be the season this team crawls out of the primordial ooze and evolves into a respected team .
Yes I thought last nights game was as good as over once Ryan Howard blasted that grand slam in the first inning – but the Mets clawed back to win – and not just win – they scored 9 runs which has been unheard of as of late.
This team is far from dead – will they adhere to Terry’s new mantra of “third place or bust” ? That remains to be seen. But I don’t know about you but I would rather see a team that is playing for pride than a team that is a self pitying mess.
I
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Middle reliever from the ’85 season, Bill Latham is 52 (1960). He was the throw in player which saw Billy Beane traded to the Minnesota Twins for Tim Teufel.
Reserve outfielder from the ’82 season, Rusty Tillman is 52 (1960).
Mets reserve catcher from the forgettable ’10 season, Henry Blanco is 41 (1971).
Sadly on this date in 2001, Mets pitcher from ’65-’68, Dick Selma passed away. In his 4 seasons as a Met, Selma compiled a record of 17-21 with an E.R.A of 3.16.
Mo Vaughn can proudly say that he never quit during his tenure as a Met. Truth is he never TRIED !!!
3 comments
Stickguy
8/29/2012-7:39am at 7:39 am (UTC -4)
The manager’s job is to try an win. And that is what he should do. In the context, of course, of team goals (meaning if you have a young, part of the future, guy up to get experience he should start over a stiff like Bay).
but effort, moves, etc. (well, not in the pen by burning out a guy like Edgin, but that should be SOP) should still be there.
and better to have some bring, instill a winning mindset, whatever than to just get used to packing it in.
and I agree with Terry about “quitting”. Will a guy occasionally have a dud game? Sure. But overall, they all have something on the line. Most of them just hate to lose, at anything. They play for #s, and pride. Might be playing for their next/last/only big contract, or to just stay in the majors.
anyway, I would love to see a strong finish to build off of, and if that combines with being ahead of the phils, fantastic!
srt
8/29/2012-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
Couldn’t agree more Rusty. And I agree. I can’t root for them to lose, hoping for a better draft pick..
Whatever the FO is doing – preserving this team for the Wilpons, etc…….I believe Terry is just not a puppet in all this. He’s sincerely trying to win as many games as he can – and not just to save his job Ala Jerry either. He expects this team to continue playing hard for him, regardless of the standings
darknova306
8/29/2012-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
It hasn’t been that the team quit… they’re just not very good. Wright’s OPS has dropped almost 300 points in the second half and the rotation’s ERA has risen close to a run. Without Wright hitting at an elite level and a few other guys overachieving, this isn’t a good baseball team. To criticize Terry for them not winning is dumb. He’s in the worst situation: bad team, broke owners, weak set of position players with no decent replacements on the horizon (disastrous outfield), huge media market and a rabid fanbase that criticizes everything regardless of logic.
Yeah, I actually wouldn’t be surprised if he quit and retired sooner than later. He’s too old to have to put up with this crap from people other than his grandkids…