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Terry Collins

metirish Mar 29 2010 12:27 PM

Lennon's short hops: Collins a lot like Valentine In an effort to overhaul their farm system, the Mets reached out to a two-time former manager with a Dodgers background and experience in Japan. No, it wasn't Bobby Valentine. He still works for ESPN. But the similarities between Valentine and Terry Collins are uncanny - from the high motor to the Dodgers pedigree to the fact that each did stints managing in Japan. The comparison is inevitable, and in these parts, where Valentine is viewed as some kind of conquering hero in exile, it's a compliment. "I have had a lot of people that know the two of us say that," Collins said. "A lot of them. People in Japan say the same thing." In listing the potential replacements for Jerry Manuel, should his final season end abruptly, Collins' name usually is included along with newly hired scout Bob Melvin, bench coach Dave Jauss and later down the line, Brooklyn Cyclones manager Wally Backman. But Collins, 60, may be more valuable in his current role as minor-league field coordinator, an ambiguous title that carries with it a very important goal: assess and improve the Mets' organization at every level. "I know the importance of the job, and that is to make sure we're producing major-league baseball players," said Collins, who had the same role with the Dodgers from 2002-06. "We all want them to play in New York. But if Omar [Minaya] needs to make a deal, we've got to have guys who other teams want. That's what this job is about." The Mets' minor-league system also could use an image makeover after Tony Bernazard's reported misconduct last season, and even worse, just one affiliate had a record of .500 or better - their Dominican summer league squad (49-23). The rest of the clubs combined for a .447 winning percentage (366-453), and Triple-A Buffalo, where Collins remains immensely popular from his managing days with the Bisons, was viewed as a civic disaster at 56-87. "I'm not going against anything Tony did - his ideas were his ideas," Collins said. "I didn't experience what happened. I've heard lots and lots and lots of stories. But it's about playing baseball. It's about enjoying the game and learning how to deal with struggles, because it's a long, hard road. To make guys miserable is not what we got into this for. "The object is when the game's over, to have a father leave the park with his son and say, 'That's how you play. That's how you're supposed to play the game.' " Seems like a smart hire, hopefully he sticks around for a while. http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnist ... -1.1834518

Ashie62 Mar 29 2010 01:55 PM Re: Terry Collins

He looks like he has a bar tan

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 29 2010 02:02 PM Re: Terry Collins

Strangely, his hands look like Photoshop creations.

Ashie62 Mar 29 2010 02:07 PM Re: Terry Collins

Is he wearing a cup or is that paper towel?

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 29 2010 02:11 PM Re: Terry Collins

AND OMG WHATZ WITH THAT HAIR-- TERY, JUST4MEN CALLD THEY THINK YR BEERD IS WEEEEEERD LOLZ

Ashie62 Mar 29 2010 02:16 PM Re: Terry Collins

No play for Mr. Gray

Frayed Knot Mar 29 2010 02:20 PM Re: Terry Collins

Hey, if you're going to be 60 years old you're almost certain to have gray hair. And if the alternative is having your moss look like the shoe-polish tone that Tony LaRussa is sporting then let the grays proudly wave.

Frayed Knot Mar 29 2010 02:51 PM Re: Terry Collins

Collins, IIRC, had a manager rep of being closer to the drill-sergeant type. And, as often happens during manager changes where the guy you're exchanging is the complete opposite from the one you're getting, Collins got his first job in Houston by replacing the oh-so mellow Art Howe, and then in turn was himself replaced by the lassez-faire stylings of Larry Dierker.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 29 2010 03:06 PM Re: Terry Collins

It's a shame he never managed in Pittsburgh.

MFS62 Mar 29 2010 03:48 PM Re: Terry Collins

Ashie62 wrote: Is he wearing a cup or is that paper towel? Depends Later

Ashie62 Mar 29 2010 05:57 PM Re: Terry Collins

He could shave his head and simonize. It is a timeless great look.

Valadius Mar 29 2010 06:50 PM Re: Terry Collins

He looks like Charlie Crist.

Edgy DC Mar 30 2010 06:52 AM Re: Terry Collins

Frayed Knot wrote: Collins, IIRC, had a manager rep of being closer to the drill-sergeant type. And, as often happens during manager changes where the guy you're exchanging is the complete opposite from the one you're getting, Collins got his first job in Houston by replacing the oh-so mellow Art Howe, and then in turn was himself replaced by the lassez-faire stylings of Larry Dierker. The tight-ship-running act might play better with minor leaguers than the bigs --- where the laborers make much much more than the manager. It'd be kind of insane, but I'd love to see a team experiment with a manager whose contract guarantees him a bigger salary than any of his players. It would probably drain the team's coffers and explode in their faces, so I'd prefer it not necessarily be my team.

Ashie62 Mar 30 2010 09:03 AM Re: Terry Collins

I could see the 6'8 Russian Gold Miner/Whoremaster who is buying the Nets walking the court with an AK-47 in a couple of years as owner/coach.

MFS62 Mar 30 2010 09:23 AM Re: Terry Collins

Ashie62 wrote: I could see the 6'8 Russian Gold Miner/Whoremaster who is buying the Nets walking the court with an AK-47 in a couple of years as owner/coach. Ashie, just a suggestion. Have someone start your car for you. Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Mar 30 2010 09:40 AM Re: Terry Collins

Ashie62 wrote: I could see the 6'8 Russian Gold Miner/Whoremaster who is buying the Nets walking the court with an AK-47 in a couple of years as owner/coach. I bought a '68 Whoremaster once. Stylish and roomy, but a gas guzzler... it sucked up so much cash, I might as well have been leaving the money on random fleabag-motel dressers.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 11 2010 11:56 AM Re: Terry Collins

I'm bumping this one just in case Terry is announced as the next Mets manager later this month. The comments made in this thread are especially insightful!

Frayed Knot Nov 11 2010 07:11 PM Re: Terry Collins

I asked some Astros fans for their memories and the answer that came back was "very angry man".

MFS62 Nov 11 2010 09:53 PM Re: Terry Collins

Frayed Knot wrote: And if the alternative is having your moss look like the shoe-polish tone that Tony LaRussa is sporting then let the grays proudly wave. While we're waiting for any news of Terry, my wife recently pegged Bob Costas as a shoe polish user. Later

Frayed Knot Nov 12 2010 12:29 PM Re: Terry Collins

And if the alternative is having your moss look like the shoe-polish tone that Tony LaRussa is sporting then let the grays proudly wave. While we're waiting for any news of Terry, my wife recently pegged Bob Costas as a shoe polish user. As is McCarver (self-admitted) - but then again not a lot of guys in the public eye over age 50 aren't. But back to Collins; most of the answers I received from my query into Astroland were about him being real high-strung and came in the form of one-liners, something which was largely my fault seeing as how I asked about him as if I were buying a used car and wanted to talk to folks who had previously driven a Collings model. Comments included: - "Unless the previous owners have cleared up the chronic red-ass associated with the model, I'd steer clear." - "If you stuck a lump of coal up his ass, in two weeks, you'd have a diamond." - "In the NY media spotlight, Collins would compress into a substance so dense that he would form a black hole." There was also a recalled story about him "going ape-shit" during a brawl w/the Expos although that was written off as somewhat justifiable on account of having been hit in the mouth with a thrown batting helmet from Moises Alou. But I also got a more complete answer - and from someone I "know" enough to be the straight dope: - Hal Lanier [Collins' predecessor] was more caustic than Collins ever was, however what Collins did that lead to his downfall was raise himself well above the players. What I mean by that is he was unapproachable and mean spirited. He was cold, un-communicative and very distant. A player never felt comfortable around him because you didn't know where you stood. Had he clashed with players, that would have been one thing, but most if not all the players felt they did not know what Collins thought of them or where they stood, so they were left with only one thing to do for self-preservation: go to Craig Biggio. There was only one player with the stature and standing with the organization strong enough to combat Collin's stand-offish behavior and that was Biggio. This is also where Biggio got the reputation as a clubhouse lawyer (and rightfully so, because Biggio did not stop this sort of behavior once Collins departed). So all the players basically would go to Biggio and want to know if he thought they were in the good graces with the organization... or not. Biggio gave it to players straight when he knew things and when he didn't, he went to the owner and others to get information. Collins fumed at this and basically blamed Biggio for his getting fired (eventually). It was a holy way of sorts, but it was basically down to two men fighting for the clubhouse: Terry Collins and Craig Biggio... and Biggio won. Not because Biggio was a bad hombre, but because Collins never did anything to make players feel they knew exactly where they stood with him.

Frayed Knot Nov 14 2010 05:22 PM Re: Terry Collins

Another Houston fan chimed in claiming to be friends with someone who played for Collins. Didn't say whether in the majors or minors only that it wasn't with the Astros. Anyway, the connection describes Collins as -- a decent if humorless sort ... not really volatile [although] intense/driven with a lot of rules. He can have a good effect on a team at first, especially one that appears to need some organization and discipline. He is a sound baseball guy. OK, that all sounds good. BUT . . . the relentless pressure he keeps on his players causes things to go bad, eventually. [The] friend said he liked Collins at first, but by the end, like just about all his teammates, he wanted to kill him. A bit of the Billy Martin effect perhaps.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 14 2010 06:26 PM Re: Terry Collins

I think Collins may have peaked too early. Down the stretch they come, and it's... Bob Melvin! I think.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 14 2010 08:49 PM Re: Terry Collins

I really hope that Jose Oquendo is completely dazzling tomorrow.

Edgy DC Nov 15 2010 05:01 AM Re: Terry Collins

And I foolishly hope that Bobby Valentine is covering the GM meetings.

The Second Spitter Nov 15 2010 05:26 AM Re: Terry Collins

Edgy DC wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Collins, IIRC, had a manager rep of being closer to the drill-sergeant type. And, as often happens during manager changes where the guy you're exchanging is the complete opposite from the one you're getting, Collins got his first job in Houston by replacing the oh-so mellow Art Howe, and then in turn was himself replaced by the lassez-faire stylings of Larry Dierker. The tight-ship-running act might play better with minor leaguers than the bigs --- where the laborers make much much more than the manager. When the chips are down, tight-ship-running managers are the one's that players start tanking for........or make clandestine visits to the GM asking for their head.

metirish Nov 16 2010 06:27 AM Re: Terry Collins

Bowa on Colllins....Wright on discipline Bowa: Terry’s discipline would be good fit for Mets ORLANDO, Fla. — Near the conclusion of the Mets’ season-crushing 2-9 West Coast trip to open the second half, David Wright was manning his position and chatting with Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa. During the conversation, Bowa recalled yesterday, Wright bemoaned that there was “no discipline here whatsoever,” nodding toward a relatively empty bench. That was symbolic of too many players being in the clubhouse rather than in the dugout supporting their teammates. Bowa said Wright lamented that the coaches were afraid to assert authority over the players to better police such matters. In an e-mail response, Wright said he never questioned his team’s discipline, but that he was “frustrated” and said he probably did mention to Bowa that it was a “pet peeve” when guys are not on the bench. Regardless of the finer details, it serves as a metaphor for too many Mets not only lacking Wright’s passion for proper protocol, but too many expressing a sense of entitlement that has not been earned with high-caliber, professional play. If you are looking for reasons why the Mets view Terry Collins as the favorite for the managing job, this is a good place to begin. Collins is no-nonsense and a disciplinarian; “not afraid to step on toes” said Bowa, who is also known to operate in the same fashion. And Wright, while not championing any candidate, did say, “I do think a manager that has fire and is a good disciplinarian is a good thing. It’s good to kick the players in the butt sometimes.” Bowa served as third-base coach all three seasons in which Collins managed the Angels (1997-99) and insisted if Collins were in charge of the Mets he would have no problem installing and enforcing rules about how players need to comport themselves. “Terry is a good communicator who knows how to get players’ attention,” Bowa said by phone. “He is good with details. He will have a team prepared to focus and play. He spent a lot of years as a minor league coordinator so he knows right from wrong on a field.” General manager Sandy Alderson interviewed Jose Oquendo last night for the Mets’ managerial position. But Collins is the frontrunner in what is now pretty much a two-candidate race to replace Jerry Manuel. Bob Melvin impressed the Mets brass, notably Alderson, in his interview with his preparation to take over this particular job, including being able to provide Alderson who he would have as his coaches. Collins was not as precise, though Bowa said he believes he would have a strong chance to serve in some capacity. He said Collins was being “tight-lipped” about the Mets job because Collins believed he had the Dodgers managing job after the 2005 season, but then GM Paul DePodesta was fired and Los Angeles decided to go with Grady Little. DePodesta was recently hired as one of Alderson’s key lieutenants, and his endorsement of Collins has been vital in the 61-year-old becoming such a strong candidate to be the Mets manager. If there is a worry concerning Collins, it is about how his tour with the Angels ended. He managed the Angels to second-place finishes in both 1997 and ’98, just as he did in managing the Astros from 1994-96. But in 1999 the Angels were 51-82 and reportedly on the verge of mutiny against the manager when Collins was fired. Bowa insists that the difficulties were mainly limited to a personality clash with Mo Vaughn, who had recently signed a big contract with the Angels. “It has been portrayed as a lot of problems, and it wasn’t,” Bowa said. “He really got on great with the players. And there is no doubt in my mind that would be true in New York, as well. This is a mentally tough guy. This is a great situation for him in New York because that team did not play up to its potential, there is some talent there, and I think Terry would be good at getting guys to play to their potential.” Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/bow ... z15S44JZvZ

G-Fafif Nov 16 2010 06:44 AM Re: Terry Collins

ORLANDO, Fla. — Near the conclusion of the Mets’ season-crushing 2-9 West Coast trip to open the second half, David Wright was manning his position and chatting with Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa. During the conversation, Bowa recalled yesterday, Wright bemoaned that there was “no discipline here whatsoever,” nodding toward a relatively empty bench. That was symbolic of too many players being in the clubhouse rather than in the dugout supporting their teammates. Bowa said Wright lamented that the coaches were afraid to assert authority over the players to better police such matters. In an e-mail response, Wright said he never questioned his team’s discipline, but that he was “frustrated” and said he probably did mention to Bowa that it was a “pet peeve” when guys are not on the bench. Regardless of the finer details, it serves as a metaphor for too many Mets not only lacking Wright’s passion for proper protocol, but too many expressing a sense of entitlement that has not been earned with high-caliber, professional play. Perhaps this was a reflection on Manuel's lax management style or the lack of intestinal fortitude on the part of Wright's teammates, but this makes me wonder where David's leadership was. For someone anointed unofficial captain, why isn't he getting in guys' faces? The word in earlier seasons was Carlos Delgado was present and David didn't feel comfortable stepping on a veteran star's toes. But last year? Who would have been in Wright's way? It's not necessarily David's responsibility, but if he's going to moan about it, and if he has the standing to speak up internally, I wish he had. Or would going forward. If it's not his thing, then get somebody in that clubhouse who will. Still, don't tell the coach on the other team you don't like players not stationed on the bench supporting their teammates. Tell your teammates. You're as close as we've got to The Man. Be The Man.

metirish Nov 16 2010 06:46 AM Re: Terry Collins

G-Fafif wrote: ORLANDO, Fla. — Near the conclusion of the Mets’ season-crushing 2-9 West Coast trip to open the second half, David Wright was manning his position and chatting with Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa. During the conversation, Bowa recalled yesterday, Wright bemoaned that there was “no discipline here whatsoever,” nodding toward a relatively empty bench. That was symbolic of too many players being in the clubhouse rather than in the dugout supporting their teammates. Bowa said Wright lamented that the coaches were afraid to assert authority over the players to better police such matters. In an e-mail response, Wright said he never questioned his team’s discipline, but that he was “frustrated” and said he probably did mention to Bowa that it was a “pet peeve” when guys are not on the bench. Regardless of the finer details, it serves as a metaphor for too many Mets not only lacking Wright’s passion for proper protocol, but too many expressing a sense of entitlement that has not been earned with high-caliber, professional play. Perhaps this was a reflection on Manuel's lax management style or the lack of intestinal fortitude on the part of Wright's teammates, but this makes me wonder where David's leadership was. For someone anointed unofficial captain, why isn't he getting in guys' faces? The word in earlier seasons was Carlos Delgado was present and David didn't feel comfortable stepping on a veteran star's toes. But last year? Who would have been in Wright's way? It's not necessarily David's responsibility, but if he's going to moan about it, and if he has the standing to speak up internally, I wish he had. Or would going forward. If it's not his thing, then get somebody in that clubhouse who will. Still, don't tell the coach on the other team you don't like players not stationed on the bench supporting their teammates. Tell your teammates. You're as close as we've got to The Man. Be The Man. It begs the question that needs no answer.....What would Jeter do?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 16 2010 07:04 AM Re: Terry Collins

I don't think you can determine for sure from what's written there that DW or someone else hasn't gotten in faces, or even if it was the right thing to do necessarily, or that Larry Bowa isn't talking out of his ass. That said, I think it was pretty clear that Jerry was a lame duck and carried little power last year, especially as the year wore on.

Edgy DC Nov 16 2010 07:14 AM Re: Terry Collins

Which made his continuing tenure pretty painful to watch, out of sympathy for him as much as anything. I passed a van today with DC plates that read "BOWA 20." I got in today and looked him up but he didn't wear 20; Schmidt did.

metirish Nov 16 2010 07:15 AM Re: Terry Collins

Will Bowa be a coach if Collins gets the job.....not with the Dodgers anymore?

G-Fafif Nov 16 2010 02:32 PM Re: Terry Collins

I'd be down with vanity plate BOWASTFU.