The New York Mets are trying to figure out how to get out of their early hole.
New York is relying on president of baseball operations David Stearns and manager Carlos Mendoza to turn around the team after a dismal April performance. It is now the players’ responsibility to perform after management received a vote of confidence.
Many players defended Mendoza throughout the rumors that he might be sacked, saying that he was setting them up for success. Mendoza’s job was probably saved by these feelings and respect in the clubhouse, but how can he raise spirits going forward?
Terry Collins, a former Mets manager and SNY analyst, offered some recommendations on Tuesday. Collins was asked how he would handle New York’s April troubles if he were in the dugout today while responding to fan inquiries on Mets Mailbag.Every club will experience a losing streak at some point throughout the season, despite the fact that losing streaks are unpleasant, Collins stated. “You have to maintain your optimism, in my opinion. On [struggling] teams, the one thing that occurs is that players become irritated and attempt to do too much. They want to be the one to end their losing trend, but that’s not how it works.
To get the best out of your players, you simply need to keep playing the game and place them in settings that play to their strengths.”Collins went on, “You can also try to make it a little fun.” One year, I was on a losing streak in Anaheim, and we decided to use just one bat. One night, all of the team members used the hottest bat that we had. And we prevailed! It was merely an attempt to convey to them that, despite the terrible nature of losing, the game is nevertheless enjoyable. When they arrive at the ballpark
They must understand that there is still enjoyment to be had on the playing field.”
Collins is one of the Mets’ most successful and long-serving captains, so his remarks do have some weight. The now 78-year-old guided the Amazins to consecutive postseason trips in 2015 and 2016, winning the National League pennant in 2015 despite an overall losing record (551-583) in seven seasons in charge.
Collins’ recommendations don’t imply that Mendoza isn’t attempting to make the clubhouse more lively. Given the recent introduction of a new home run celebration using a construction hat and sledgehammer, he might very well be. However, in a relatively recent interview, bullpen pitcher Luke Weaver discussed the team’s difficulties.
He stressed that the team’s main players should strive for “pursuit of perfection” and that they might reduce stress by attempting to discover “the joy of why you play the game.”
The Mets are a completely different club from the previous season, so it’s undoubtedly a very interesting situation. Newcomers like Bo Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., Marcus Semien, Weaver, and Devin Williams have taken the place of former leaders like Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and Brandon Nimmo. This also applies to Carson Benge, who is experiencing the major leagues for the first time.
The Mets are gradually gaining momentum.
With a 13-22 record, the Mets are still in last place in the NL East, but they have won three of their last four games, including Monday’s series opening in Colorado and this weekend’s two-of-three victory against the Los Angeles Angels. Benge in particular is producing highlight-reel catches every day and getting hot at the plate. Mark Vientos is hitting and has scored six runs in the last two games for New York.308/.357/.615 since April 24.
Even though the team hasn’t really gelled yet, perhaps Mendoza’s attempts to boost morale and ease external pressure are having an impact. Now that Clay Holmes has emerged as the most reliable arm in the rotation, David Peterson has accepted a position as a bulk reliever, and younger players like Benge and Vientos are becoming hot, it is up to the team’s greatest stars to relax and wait for their turn.
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