#Listen to Episode 8 of ‘Amazin’ But True’: ‘Ass In The Jackpot’ feat. Terry Collins

There’s a lot of Mets news out there this week. Nelson Figueroa and I have it covered on a brand new episode of the “Amazin’ But True” podcast.

We open up talking about Amed Rosario getting to camp and having trouble not being able to spit. We then get into the cardboard picture cutouts that will be in the stands at Citi Field and getting fans involved. We dive into the highlights of the Mets’ 60-game schedule. Figgie and I address Brad Brach not reporting to camp yet and the Mets being very mum so far on guys not there and the reasoning. It’s bidding day for a potential new owner of the team. Will Steve Cohen end up buying the Mets?

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Former Mets manager Terry Collins then joins the show. Collins talks about what he’s doing now, the 2015 team turning it around, keeping Matt Harvey in Game 5 of the World Series, Harvey’s demise, Chase Utley, the “ass in the jackpot” ejection, changes in managing style, advice for Luis Rojas, dealing with New York media, Mickey Callaway, being done after 2017 and his favorite player to manage.

Here’s some highlights from the interview:

Collins on leaving Matt Harvey in Game 5 of the 2015 World Series: 

Collins: “Well there was a lot of factors into it. One of the things that started way before that was during 2015 Matt was worried about innings limits, and then he wasn’t sure if he could go 185 innings so we started to limit him and his work load. When you’re managing, you want those guys to be out there and take control of the game, and all of a sudden it was after Matt started the game against the Yankees and I took him out after five innings, he came in and he said this isn’t what I want. I want to pitch. So when it came to Game 5, here was a guy who was in complete control, it would be one thing if he had a bad 8th inning or he had been struggling for a few innings, but he had an eight-pitch 8th inning. I mean he was so dominant and we had Jeurys Familiia in the bullpen, who was ready with 50 saves, even though he gave up a home run in Game 1, he was still our guy. When Matt walked up to me and he said I’m okay I want this game, and I said you got it…go get ’em, go finish it off. And that’s the attitude I love, it’s something you try to get your players to take up that type of an attitude that this game is in my hands. It just didn’t work out for us, but I look back now and I really felt that was the right decision to make.” 

Collins on Chase Utley after the dirty slide in the playoffs:

Collins: I used to really like to watch him play … until he broke Ruben’s (Tejada) leg. It was an uncharacteristic move. I know he plays hard, I understand that, but that should have been an automatic double play, but that really bothered me. I know Chase plays the game, everybody wants to play it hard, but I thought that was uncalled for.” 

Collins on Mickey Callaway cursing at a reporter: 

Collins: I wasn’t there so I don’t know what all happened … from my aspect you have to respect people’s job. They have bosses. It could’ve been his editor who wanted them to go after this tough question and you get asked a lot of tough questions, but you gotta respect their jobs. I had a piece of advice from one of the great managers told me … treat every single media person as if they are the sports editor of the New York Times, the biggest newspaper in the world. No matter how stupid the question is, just answer the question … just answer it professionally and I tried to do that. You can’t go after reporters … you’re not gonna win the battle. So I felt bad for Mickey. He ended up doing pretty well and brought them back, but for me, it’s more about protecting the player than protecting your own personality. You don’t have to ask for forgiveness … just go out. When I saw what happen, I said boy you’re not gonna win this battle Mickey. All you’ve done now is create an issue and everyone is going to be looking for every little mistake. 

Figgie and I have some big guests planned ahead with new episodes coming out Mondays and Thursdays throughout spring training 2.0 and twice a week throughout the season. Follow us on Twitter @JakeBrownRadio & @FiggieNY to keep up with guests coming on the show. 

Catch up on all episodes of “Amazin’ But True,” a New York Mets podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. The next episode will be released Monday afternoon.