Mets' Collins Eyes Playoffs: '2015 Is Gonna Be The Year'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Terry Collins thinks next season is going to be Amazin'. And after years of futility, that has to be music to Mets fans' ears.
"2015 is gonna be the year," Collins said while volunteering Thursday at a food pantry in Queens, according to the New York Post. "We're gonna be in the mix to play in October."
The manager hasn't won more than 79 games in any of his four seasons as manager of the Mets. The team hasn't been above .500 since 2008. Their last trip to the postseason was way back in '06 -- an eternity for a New York franchise.
But general manager Sandy Alderson's plan is starting to come into focus, and Collins likes what he sees in his talented young pitching staff and a lineup that now includes outfielder Michael Cuddyer in the middle of the order.
"We've been preaching patience for four years, and it's time to step up," Collins said just days after Rookie of the Year winner Jacob deGrom made his own playoff proclamations. "We've got Matt (Harvey) coming back, Michael Cuddyer coming in. We're gonna be a different team."
Appearing on SNY's "Mets Hot Stove," Collins also said Thursday there's "no question" he has playoff expectations, according to MetsBlog.com. The 65-year-old is 304-344 since taking over for Jerry Manuel after the 2010 season.
SKIPPER: NO NIESE F-BOMB
Of course, Collins was asked about Thursday's hot topic: an expletive reportedly hurled at him from Jon Niese in the lefty's final start of the season.
The manager acknowledged there was some sort of incident, but said the pitcher -- who can be hot-headed on game days -- didn't curse him out after ignoring a sign at the plate.
"A player would never say that to me," Collins said, according to the Post. "If he would, if that quote was accurate, there would have been a fight in the dugout. I don't stand for that. That's not true. Were there words? Absolutely. I told Jon he needed to bunt and 'You need to do the job.' End of story."
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