August 10, 2012, New York Mets notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC
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Justin Turner.
Among the tasks charged to general manager Sandy Alderson and
manager Terry Collins when they accepted the challenge of rebuilding the
Mets was implementing high standards to a team that had mastered the
art of inadequate and indifferent play.
The Mets seem headed for another long winter with their 53-58 record and
extended losing streak at Citi Field. But Collins was adamant in his
pre-game press conference before the series finale against the Marlins
that neither can be used as an excuse.
“We are still somewhat young. The one thing I want these young guys to
understand is this is not acceptable by any stretch of the imagination,”
Collins said. “Losing is not acceptable. We don’t even need to get into
the reason why things are going south right now. You still have to come
out and play.
“Losing can be as contagious as winning. One of the things you’ll see on
teams that lose is guys all of a sudden don’t want to be the one held
responsible for the loss,” Collins said. “‘Hey, I got a hit,’ or ‘Gosh, I
pitched my inning without giving up a run,’ and worry about themselves
instead of the team itself. Those are the things that need to be
addressed.”
Turner keeps positive
One person Collins does not have to worry about is Justin Turner. Along
with being a respectable bat (.288 batting average and .325 on-base
percentage), the utility infielder is highly valued for his positive
demeanor and an ability to keep the clubhouse loose.
“He’s one of those guys. … We used to call it that Southern California
makeup,” Collins said. “He’s nice and loose; he doesn’t get too excited
about something. He just handles all situations very easily. He doesn’t
get too tense and he can play baseball; he’s a baseball player.
“He gives you good at-bats, he can play any position you want [and] he catches the ball,” Collins said. “He has a good arm.”
But on a team where there are open jobs, Turner is hamstrung because the
infield positions are set. The free agent to be only has 118 at-bats
this season.
“I told him yesterday the hardest part is the first baseman [Ike Davis]
has 20 home runs, the second baseman [Daniel Murphy] is hitting .300,
the shortstop [Ruben Tejada] is hitting .300 and the third baseman
[Wright] is hitting .300,” Collins said. “Pretty hard to get him in
there. But he keeps himself prepared and that’s why he’s good to have on
the club.”
Follow Mets beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
Follow Mets beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.
http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/1149649--mets-notebook-collins-bans-excuses-turner-earns-notice
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 10:58 PM
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