Terry Collins
Encyclopedia
Terry Lee Collins is the manager
for the New York Mets
of Major League Baseball
. A former minor league shortstop
, Collins managed the Albuquerque Dukes
of the Pacific Coast League
, the Buffalo Bisons
of the International League
, the Duluth Huskies
of the summer collegiate Northwoods League
, and the Houston Astros
and Anaheim Angels
of Major League Baseball. Collins is known as a "feisty and intense manager."
from 1968–1971, where he played shortstop. In each of the four years he attended Eastern Michigan, Collins led the team in steals. He was on the Eastern Michigan team that won the NAIA
national championship in 1971, at which he won the honor of Outstanding Defensive Player of the Tournament. Collins was inducted into the Eastern Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
. During a 10-year playing career, he played from 1971–1978 and in 1980 and 1984 in the Pittsburgh Pirates
and Los Angeles Dodgers
organizations. However, he never broke into the big leagues. Collins batted and threw right-handed and stood 5 inch tall. He compiled a batting average
of .255 in 671 games played
.
. In 1983, he managed the Albuquerque Dukes
, the Dodgers' AAA affiliate, where in 1987, he won the PCL championship. He managed three years in Buffalo, the Pirates' AAA affiliate before being promoted to bullpen coach for the Pirates in , where he coached until the end of the season.
fired manager Art Howe
because the owner did not favor Howe's "deliberate style." Astros General Manager Bob Watson replaced him with Collins, who never had a losing season in his three years there. The Astros finished second all three years. He was dismissed at the end of the 1996 season, after the Astros suffered a late-season collapse.
Baseball analyst Joe Morgan
suggests that Collins was partly to blame for the Astros failure to make the playoffs. Writing in 1999, Morgan says:
for the 1997 season. His first two years with the Angels also produced winning records and second-place finishes. In 1999, the Angels were hampered by injuries and Collins resigned with 29 games left in the season. He apparently received a vote of confidence from the front office, but the players had petitioned GM Bill Bavasi
to fire him.
of the Pacific League
in Japan. Terry resigned as manager of the Buffaloes on May 21, 2008 after a 7-3 inter-league loss to the Hanshin Tigers. Orix were in 5th place in the Pacific League with a 21-28 record, despite investments in players such as Alex Cabrera
in the prior off-season. Injuries to the Buffaloes pitching staff certainly didn't help Collins' situation. However, the Buffaloes bounced back and finished second by the end of the season.
Collins became the manager of the China national baseball team
at the end of the year, in time for the 2009 World Baseball Classic
.
On July 20, 2009, the Duluth Huskies
of the Northwoods League
announced that Collins would manage the team for the rest of the season after firing their field manager a few days prior.
for the New York Mets
organization. Collins was introduced as Mets manager on November 23, 2010, signing a two year deal.
Collins wears number 10 to honor his managing mentor and friend Jim Leyland
of the Detroit Tigers
. Collins served on Leyland's coaching staff when he was manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates
in 1992
and 1993
.
On September 27, 2011, the Mets announced that they would pick up Collins' option for the 2013 season.
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. A former minor league shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, Collins managed the Albuquerque Dukes
Albuquerque Dukes
The Albuquerque Dukes were a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.-History:The first Dukes team was formed in 1915 as part of the Class-D Rio Grande Association. The team finished in third place with a 32-25 record. Frank Huelman was the league leader in home runs,...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, the Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
of the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
, the Duluth Huskies
Duluth Huskies
The Duluth Huskies are an amateur baseball team playing in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. They have been operating in Duluth, Minnesota since 2003. The Huskies play home games at Wade Stadium in Duluth, which was built in 1941. The team plays 70 games throughout the...
of the summer collegiate Northwoods League
Northwoods League
The Northwoods League is a collegiate summer baseball league comprising teams of the top college players from North America and beyond. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate...
, and the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and Anaheim Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
of Major League Baseball. Collins is known as a "feisty and intense manager."
College career
Collins attended college at Eastern Michigan UniversityEastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti is west of Detroit and eight miles east of Ann Arbor. The university was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School...
from 1968–1971, where he played shortstop. In each of the four years he attended Eastern Michigan, Collins led the team in steals. He was on the Eastern Michigan team that won the NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
national championship in 1971, at which he won the honor of Outstanding Defensive Player of the Tournament. Collins was inducted into the Eastern Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
Playing career
In 1971, Collins was drafted by the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. During a 10-year playing career, he played from 1971–1978 and in 1980 and 1984 in the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
organizations. However, he never broke into the big leagues. Collins batted and threw right-handed and stood 5 inch tall. He compiled a batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .255 in 671 games played
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
.
1981-1992
In 1981, Collins began his managing career as pilot of the Dodgers' Class-A Lodi affiliate in the California LeagueCalifornia League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. In 1983, he managed the Albuquerque Dukes
Albuquerque Dukes
The Albuquerque Dukes were a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.-History:The first Dukes team was formed in 1915 as part of the Class-D Rio Grande Association. The team finished in third place with a 32-25 record. Frank Huelman was the league leader in home runs,...
, the Dodgers' AAA affiliate, where in 1987, he won the PCL championship. He managed three years in Buffalo, the Pirates' AAA affiliate before being promoted to bullpen coach for the Pirates in , where he coached until the end of the season.
1993-96, Houston Astros
After the 1993 season, the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
fired manager Art Howe
Art Howe
Arthur Henry Howe Jr. is a former Major League Baseball infielder, coach, scout and manager. He is an alumnus of the University of Wyoming...
because the owner did not favor Howe's "deliberate style." Astros General Manager Bob Watson replaced him with Collins, who never had a losing season in his three years there. The Astros finished second all three years. He was dismissed at the end of the 1996 season, after the Astros suffered a late-season collapse.
Baseball analyst Joe Morgan
Joe Morgan
Joe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
suggests that Collins was partly to blame for the Astros failure to make the playoffs. Writing in 1999, Morgan says:
Adversity is part of baseball; if a manager can't cope with is his team will suffer. Terry Collins, the skipper of the Anaheim Angels learned this lesson when he was with Houston. The Astros were a talented team when Collins was there (1994-96). They finished second three times, but failed to make the playoffs because their manager exerted too much pressure on them. He was so uptight, his players thought each pitch was life-or-death. It wasn't anything Terry said; it was his demeanor. Collins was edgy in the dugout during games, always looking like someone who was just waiting for disaster to strike. At the moment anything actually went wrong you could smell the panic in him. Players picked up on that. To alleviate the tension the manger was bringing to the clubhouse, they put added pressure on themselves to perform well, which invariably choked off their natural abilities so that they can't play their best. Its no coincidence that the Astros became a post-season participant once Houston replaced Collins with Larry Dierker. I dont know if Larry knows more about baseball then Collins, but he does have a laid-back attitude that immediately puts his players at ease. Dierker kept the pressure off the team by reminding them that while the goal of winning is serious, the game is still essentially supposed to be fun. (By the way, I have been watching Collins since he joined the Angels and he's a much more laid-back skipper. When I complimented him on this change, he said former Angel infielder-outfielder Tony Phillips had spoken to him about relaxing more and that it has really made an impression.)
1997-98, Anaheim Angels
Less than a month after being dismissed by the Astros, Collins was hired as manager of the Anaheim AngelsLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
for the 1997 season. His first two years with the Angels also produced winning records and second-place finishes. In 1999, the Angels were hampered by injuries and Collins resigned with 29 games left in the season. He apparently received a vote of confidence from the front office, but the players had petitioned GM Bill Bavasi
Bill Bavasi
William J. Bavasi, born December 27, 1957 in Scarsdale, New York, is a former general manager and vice president of baseball operations for the Seattle Mariners, and currently works as a Special Assistant to the GM for the Cincinnati Reds, under Reds GM Walt Jocketty...
to fire him.
2006-2009
At the end of the 2006 season, Collins signed a two-year deal to manage the Orix BuffaloesOrix Buffaloes
The are a Nippon Professional Baseball team based in Osaka and Kobe, Japan. They play in the Pacific League. The team is owned by the Orix Group, a leading diversified financial services company based in Tokyo....
of the Pacific League
Pacific League
The or is one of the two professional baseball leagues constituting Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship competes against the winner in the Central League for the annual Japan Series...
in Japan. Terry resigned as manager of the Buffaloes on May 21, 2008 after a 7-3 inter-league loss to the Hanshin Tigers. Orix were in 5th place in the Pacific League with a 21-28 record, despite investments in players such as Alex Cabrera
Alex Cabrera
Alex Cabrera is a Venezuelan first baseman and right-handed batter who played in Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball...
in the prior off-season. Injuries to the Buffaloes pitching staff certainly didn't help Collins' situation. However, the Buffaloes bounced back and finished second by the end of the season.
Collins became the manager of the China national baseball team
China national baseball team
The China national baseball team is the national representative team of the People's Republic of China.-Olympic Games:China secured qualification to the 2008 Summer Olympics automatically as host nation, giving the country its first Olympics berth....
at the end of the year, in time for the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
.
On July 20, 2009, the Duluth Huskies
Duluth Huskies
The Duluth Huskies are an amateur baseball team playing in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league. They have been operating in Duluth, Minnesota since 2003. The Huskies play home games at Wade Stadium in Duluth, which was built in 1941. The team plays 70 games throughout the...
of the Northwoods League
Northwoods League
The Northwoods League is a collegiate summer baseball league comprising teams of the top college players from North America and beyond. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate...
announced that Collins would manage the team for the rest of the season after firing their field manager a few days prior.
2010-present, New York Mets
Collins spent the 2010 season as the minor-league field coordinatorMinor-league field coordinator
Minor-league field coordinator is a position within a Major League Baseball organization. The person with this position oversees the training to individual players within the minor league system....
for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
organization. Collins was introduced as Mets manager on November 23, 2010, signing a two year deal.
Collins wears number 10 to honor his managing mentor and friend Jim Leyland
Jim Leyland
James Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
of the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. Collins served on Leyland's coaching staff when he was manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in 1992
1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The 1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season saw the Pirates finish first in the National League East with a record of 96 wins and 66 losses. It was the third consecutive division title for the team. The Pirates once again fell short in the postseason, losing a riveting seven-game National League...
and 1993
1993 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates franchise entered the '93 season as the three-time defending National League East champions. In the offseason, Barry Bonds left the Pirates and signed with the San Francisco Giants...
.
On September 27, 2011, the Mets announced that they would pick up Collins' option for the 2013 season.