I had the honor of being invited to a bloggers conference call with Mets manager Terry Collins last night. Collins is upbeat , excited and quite confident about his team. I posed the question to Collins on how will he keep this club together when adversity hits, as it always does in a 162 game baseball season. Thanks to Michael Baron, here is my question and a full transcript of the conference call. I tip my Mets cap to Michael for doing this transcript under adverse conditions as there was a load of background noise during the call:
Steve Keane: This Spring, camp has been upbeat, although there have been a few bumps in the road. It seems the players have fed off your enthusiasm. Over the course of the season, there will be losing streaks, and in the past, those spread and festered. The Mets, over the past few years, haven’t been known to be mentally and physically tough. How do you combat that?
Terry Collins: Not everyone has the answer. People think there is a process we go through to get through it. In a losing streak, a lot of guys get concerned with individual stats, and we need to combat that. Its all about communication, and making sure they continue to believe in themselves. Not sitting back, and waiting for things to happen.
The toughest part of managing or coaching is getting your players to buy in to what preaching, getting them to put team ahead of self and so far this spring from the quotes and stories from Mets players, they seem to be buying what TC is selling.
Caryn (Metsgrrl) Rose had a great question for Collins about him being a players manager and I think this was a real honest and revealing answer from TC:
I think it means a lot – in the past, I was probably not a players manager. Through the years, I have realized the importance of constant communication, and never taking anything for granted. That is done with experience – from my first few years, I was worried about only managing the game, and thinking everyone was on board with it. I look at it as a compliment.
Keeping the lines of communication open is KEY for a manager. When the players have to guess what you’re thinking or feel you’re playing head games, you are destine to lose that player and your team. I would say TC learned that lesson in Anaheim and will not make that mistake again.
Izzy has agreed to stay in extended spring training for two weeks as the Mets try to fit this bullpen. It worked out as well as Sandy Alderson could have hoped as he gets to keep two or the three relievers he had to decide on.
The more these stories keep coming out about the Skill Sets shaky financial status, it seems the only conclusion I can see is the Skill Sets selling the team. Freddy Skill Sets has his heart set on keeping the team in the family for generations to come but I doubt if his wish will come true.
As I was typing up this post, word came down that Luis Castillo has been cut by the Phuck Phaces. Andy Martino is getting ready to file a discrimination lawsuit against the Phuck Phaces on behalf of Castillo.
GET METS-MERIZED! GET METS-MERIZED! Cheesy? you bet Sharp Cheddar Baby!
The everyday menu at Foley’s NY is always first rate but with the start of the 2011 Baseball Season, they have added a bunch of specials to commemorate the season openers:
Appetizers
Francona’s Terry-Yaki Steak Skewers: $5.00
Thai (Cobb) Chicken Skewers: $5.00
Dustin Pedroia’s Buffalo Shrimp: $5.50
Miguel Cabrera’s Loaded Fries: $5.00
Welkes’ Wings (Bucket = three orders): $12.50
Entrees
Cliff’s Phil-Lee Cheesesteak Sandwich: $5.95
Justin Morneau’s French Dip $5.95
Sean Casey’s Irish Burger $6.50
Coursi’s Chicken Club Wrap $5.50
Additionally, Foley’s has named a menu item for every team in the major leagues:
NL
Mets: David Wright Sandwich
Phillies: Philly Cheesesteak Wrap
Braves: Fried Chicken Dinner
Marlins: Fried Fish Sandwich
Nats: Washington Apple Pie
Brewers: Bratwurst
Cardinals: Toasted Ravioli
Pirates: Pittsburgh Steak Salad
Cubs: Chicago Dog
Astros: Texas Sirloin Steak
Reds: “Reds Hot” Chili
Dodgers: LA Pizza
Padres: Fish Tacos
Rockies: Beer Battered Onion Rings
Arizona: Chicken Southwest
Giants: French Dip
AL
Yankees: “Swish” & Chips
Red Sox: Shrimp & Scallops
Toronto: Poutine (French fries topped by cheese curds and gravy)
Orioles: Maryland Crab Cake Sliders
Rays: Cuban Sandwich
Tigers: Mini Chili Dogs
White Sox: Chicago Dog
Twins: “Juicy Lucy” Burger
Royals: KC Burger
Indians: Cleveland Carrot Cake
Rangers: Texas T Bone
Angels: Artie’s Nachos
Mariners: Chicken Eggrolls
A’s: Garlic Wings
Looks like tomorrow or Friday will be a long lunch day for me to sneak over to Foley’s
Don’t forget to check out the THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN Podcast from last night with my guest Matthew Silverman author of 50 AMAZIN’ SEASON . You can listen here at Kranepool Society (lower right side bar) or at the show page or as a download on iTunes.
