MLB

Mets’ managerial finalists: Hurdle, Melvin, Collins

Terry Collins. (AP)

The Mets have narrowed their managerial search to three candidates: Terry Collins, Clint Hurdle and Bob Melvin.

Collins still was characterized as the favorite by those with knowledge of the process. Nevertheless, there still was a second phase of interviewing and research to be done, and Hurdle and Melvin were described as very much in the competition.

Collins and Melvin have the advantage of knowing the team’s system, having worked for the Mets last season. But Hurdle really impressed general manager Sandy Alderson and his lieutenants with his energy and gregarious personality during his interview Wednesday.

Ultimately, Alderson determined he did not want a first-time manager in New York for this Mets team, which is why Chip Hale, despite interviewing well, is no longer a candidate, though he very well may be on the Mets coach staff again next year.

Collins, Hurdle and Melvin all have previous major league managing experience. Another candidate with such pedigree, Don Wakamatsu, was portrayed by sources as no longer in the running for the job.

Technically, Wally Backman had four days as a major league manager in November 2004 before revelations of legal and personal problems cost him the Diamondbacks’ job. Backman also was depicted as no longer a candidate for the Mets’ managing position. But the Mets view him as a valuable member of the organization.

Some of that has to do with his popularity with the fans and with the Wilpons. But, sources say, Alderson was impressed by Backman, too.

Melvin has given the Mets brass an idea of who he would want on his coaching staff, and Backman would not be included. But Backman could be in play for Collins or Hurdle. Collins was the Mets’ minor league field coordinator last year when Backman managed the organization’s Single-A team in Brooklyn. Hurdle and Backman were Mets teammates in the 1980s. Still, the most likely job for Backman will be managing in the minors.

Alderson saw Backman’s passion and knowledge during the interview, and all the internal reports are Backman did a strong job working with the prospects in Brooklyn last year. But Backman remains a difficult major league managerial hire because of lingering fears from his Diamondback fall.

Alderson will impress upon Backman that the best way to continue repairing his reputation is inside the organization that knows him best, a confidant of the new general manager said. Essentially the message will be: You are just 51. Be patient. Avoid any more trouble. Be a good soldier by helping us get prospects to the majors while not undermining the major league manager because you want the job. If you do all of that, there are few better allies you can have for either promotion within the Mets or for endorsement of your trustworthiness to other organizations than the strait-laced, well-regarded Alderson.

As for the next manager, Collins has strong support from key Alderson lieutenant Paul DePodesta, who was set to hire Collins as manager in Los Angeles when he was Dodgers general manager. In addition, Collins’ friendship with Sandy Koufax is an asset considering Fred Wilpon’s lifelong ties to Koufax. He also is viewed positively for the work he did last year for the Mets. Nevertheless, concerns persist about if his full-throttle ways quickly lost him clubhouses when he managed the Angels and Astros.

Melvin is known as the opposite with an even-keel personality, and the Mets brass like his intellect and comfort in New York. But the Mets know they are not going to wow their fans with the addition of a star player this offseason and wonder, therefore, about the wisdom of trying to sell a manager with a vanilla temperament to their faithful.

Which is why Hurdle intrigues the Mets as a personality compromise between Collins’ Type-A nature and the laid-back Melvin. Hurdle is currently one of two finalists, with Jeff Banister, for the Pirates’ managerial opening, but appears to want the Met job more.

An executive who has worked with Hurdle said: “He is loud, outgoing and smart. Other managers will have a better feel for the game, but if you are in a rebuilding culture, he is great because this guy never has a bad day. This is a positive, positive man.”

joel.sherman@nypost.com