I hate to be the one to ask, but should the New York Mets fire manager Terry Collins?
I can't be the only one thinking it, not after the lowly Colorado Rockies completed a four-game sweep of the Mets on Thursday, August 23 with a 1-0 win at Citi Field. With the loss, the Mets (57-68) are 11 games under .500 for the first time since the end of the 2009 season, when they finished 70-92.
Honestly, I'm a fan of Collins -- so were the Mets when they picked up his option for 2013 at the end of last season. He guided the club to a winning record (46-40) in the first half of this season. But for the second straight year, the Mets have folded in the second half under his watch. They have lost 14 of their last 19 games and are 11-27 since the All-Star break. As a result, New York has gone from first-half playoff contenders to 20 games out of first place in the National League East. Those are the facts.
So when does Collins start taking heat for his team's pathetic performance? It seems like blame is being placed everywhere else, from upper management right on down to the team's MLB-worst bullpen. But Collins should take a hit for this mess, don't you think? I'm not saying it's all his fault, but previous Mets managers have been banished for less. Jerry Manuel was run out of town at the end of the 2010 season after guiding the team to a record of 79-83. Willie Randolph, who managed the Mets before Manuel, never lost more than 79 games in any season. Plus, he led the team to the 2006 NLCS.
Collins is on his way to at least 85 losses for a second straight season. And it seems as if the team has tuned him out. As if being swept at home by the Rockies wasn't bad enough, the Mets have lost 14 of their last 16 home games and scored two or fewer runs in six straight contests. I know the Mets lack talent, but that's embarrassing. It's also unacceptable, regardless of where they sit in the standings.
The Mets have 37 games left on the schedule. If they have any pride, any respect for Collins, they'll play hard until the final game of the regular season. I'd hate to think of what'll happen if they don't.
Do you blame Collins for the team's second straight second-half collapse? Should the Mets consider a different manager for next season? Let me know what you think!
Adam Martini is a freelance sportswriter who grew up in Queens, N.Y. with a view of Shea Stadium from his bedroom window. He spent many nights in the upper deck at Shea rooting for the Mets. Adam follows back Mets fans on Twitter @PegCitySports.
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