The Mets have spent the last six years trying to recapture the glory of their magical 2015 run to the World Series, instead falling well short after many thought the team's young core was built for sustained success.
Arguably no season since has been as tumultuous as this one, with a second-half flop leading to a plunge down the NL East standings, while players have clashed with fans, the owner has called out the players on Twitter, and the acting general manager was arrested for drunk driving earlier this week.
Former Mets manager Terry Collins, who spent nearly a half century around the game, agrees that this has been a roller coaster year for his former team.
"I spent 50 years in baseball, and one thing I learned very early is that you never know what's gonna happen," Collins told Sal Licata and Jerry Recco on The Morning Show. "It's a crazy business…but for sure, this has been a wild ride this year with all that has happened on the field and off the field. Hopefully the players can rally around each other and have a strong finish."
At the center of much of New York's discourse has been Francisco Lindor, who was seen as the face of the franchise's new era after signing a record $341 million extension before the season. So far, Lindor has struggled badly at the plate, has heard boos consistently from home fans throughout the season, and was one of multiple players to flash a thumbs down during Sunday's win over the Nationals, which Javier Baez said was a way of "booing back" at the fans who have expressed their displeasure with the team's struggles.
Collins doesn't believe Lindor is doomed to be a star athlete that didn't pan out in the bright spotlight of New York, but there have been cases where it wasn't the right fit for a prolific player.
Listen to New York sports talk now on Audacy and shop the latest Mets team gear!
"If you look back when the Mets signed Jason Bay, this guy was as good a player in the National League…it's just a different place to play," Collins said. "Once in awhile, I blame the agents. They chase the dollar, but you also gotta tell your clients, 'Hey, this market is unlike any other.'
"I think he'll adjust. He's like a lot of athletes. He wanted to show everyone how good he is. I think he just needs to relax, be himself and play his game."
But Collins believes Lindor also has to make an adjustment towards the fans and media of New York, both of which have been critical of the team during their dreadful second half. Baez is another who didn't get into the fans good graces with his initial explanation of the thumbs down controversy, something Collins believes isn't a productive way to handle New York's demanding atmosphere.
"The first thing you gotta be in New York City is accountable," Collins said. "Excuses don't play, especially in the big leagues. Nobody feels sorry for you. You're a professional athlete in New York, you're making good money, the other teams don't feel sorry for you, the fans don't feel sorry for you. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Go out and play.
"The thumbs down thing, I think you needed to know what that was about…you just can't do that here. Anywhere."
The Mets still have a fighting chance at a playoff spot, looking to get back to the postseason for the first time since Collins was manager. But the former skipper believes the current team needs to learn how to handle criticism, especially the constructive kind, if it is dig itself out of its current hole.
"You can't worry about people's opinions," Collins said. "They're allowed to have them…so let it go. You cannot worry about what's being written or what's being said. You gotta go play."
Listen to Collins' full interview with Sal and Jerry below!
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
