Picture of Terry Collins in pinstriped Mets #10

VERY interesting to me that the mets handed TC a pinstriped jersey and a blue cap.  Great hustle by Media Goon on this pic.

“I will do whatever it takes to win more games & we want to be the last team standing come next October.”

METS NAME TERRY COLLINS MANAGER

Former Angels and Astros Manager Signs Two-Year Contract with Club Option for 2013

FLUSHING, N.Y., November 23, 2010 – The New York Mets today named Terry Collins the club’s 20th Manager in franchise history.  Collins signed a two-year contract with a club option for 2013.  Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Collins spent six years as a major-league manager, leading the Anaheim Angels and Houston Astros to winning records and second-place finishes in his five full seasons.  He managed the Angels from 1997-1999 and the Astros from 1994-1996, compiling an overall record of 444-434 (.506).

Collins, 61, joined the Mets in 2010 as the Minor League Field Coordinator, overseeing all on-field aspects of the Mets Minor League Spring Training, mini-camps and the Fall Instructional League.  He was responsible for all phases of the Mets minor league operations including instruction, discipline and player and staff evaluations.  His career in baseball spans five decades.

“Terry’s a lifelong baseball man who comes with the entire package – leadership, preparation, emotional commitment, and the drive to win,” said Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson.  “We believe Terry’s knowledge of our players, energy, intelligence, intensity, and direct approach will make an immediate, positive impact both in the clubhouse and on the field.”

“I want to win and there is no doubt in my mind we have the talent to win,” said Collins. “I know from working firsthand with our prospects that this organization is filled with potential for the future.  It’s my job to help transform this team into the winner that our fans deserve, and I’m excited to get started.”

Collins also served as manager the Orix Buffaloes in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league from 2007-2008 and guided Team China in the 2009 World Baseball Classic to its first tournament victory.

He was the Director of Player Development for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2005-2006 after serving as the Dodgers Field Coordinator from 2002-2004.  He was the third base and bullpen coach for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2001, an advance scout with the Chicago Cubs in 2000, and the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen coach from 1992-1993.

Collins managed 11 years in the minors from 1981-1991, including capturing the Pacific Coast League championship in 1987 with the Albuquerque Dukes.  He managed Buffalo from 1989-1991, when they were affiliated with Pittsburgh compiling a 246-186 (.569) record. The former shortstop played 10 seasons in the minors with the Dodgers from 1974-1978, 1980, 1984 and Pirates from 1971-1973.  Collins, a native of Midland, Mich., graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1971 and was twice named to the NAIA Collegiate World Series All-Tournament team in 1968 and 1970.