Mets manager Terry Collins did not like being blamed for Familia’s injury

Collins’ departure has gotten messy

Prior to Friday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Mets manager Terry Collins fielded questions from the media about an earlier report that he may have helped contribute to closer Jeurys Familia‘s injury in someway.

“Seriously? Seriously? With the WBC and all of the other factors, I’m the factor? Okay, I’ll take it,” Collins responded notably angry. “I’m the manager.”

The question surrounding Familia’s usage came from New York Post beat writer Mike Puma’s report which suggested the front office was displeased with how the manager utilized his bullpen’s best pitcher. According to Puma, Mets officials warned Collins against using Familia too much or in non-save situations – both of which he apparently ignored.

Familia would end up pitching a very short period of time earlier in the 2017 season. After being suspended for the first 15 games, Familia came back in mid-April, only go to down with a blood clot in his right shoulder less than a month later in May. That issue would require surgery and force the Mets’ closer to miss the majority of the season.

The situation gets messy due to the fact that the organization believes that this extensive use “might have led directly” to Familia’s injury, according to Puma’s report. They’re essentially blaming Collins for what happened to him.

We know that this will likely (more now than ever before) be Collins’ last season at the helm. He’s the longest tenured manager in Mets’ history, and although you won’t ever find me making excuses for him when he made tremendous blunders in the dugout, this is just not okay.

I can’t help but feel that the way the Mets are letting Collins go is just wrong and comes off as petty. It really undermines what could have ultimately been a civil mutual agreement to part ways at the end of this season. From first leaking to the press the fact that they’re expecting him to retire (when he’s clearly stated he has no plans to) to talking about him directly causing an injury to a player, it’s gotten really ugly.

Even if you actually thought his bad decisions led to an injury, you can’t possibly believe there was malice or intent from Collins’ part, so why bury him in the press like that?

Next: Mets to keep Ray Ramirez and staff next season

Collins has no friends in the front office, and they’re rejoicing at him going out on a low note. That’s something that should rub all of us fans the wrong way.