Wally Backman
Terry Collins
Davey Johnson’s heart says Wally Backman, but his head says Terry Collins.
Johnson told The Post yesterday that GM Sandy Alderson, if viewing the facts objectively, probably should select the 61-year-old Collins as the team’s new manager.
Alderson is expected to decide today or tomorrow on a manager from a list of finalists that includes Collins, Backman, Bob Melvin and Chip Hale. The GM will likely speak with top assistants Paul DePodesta, J.P. Ricciardi and John Ricco today about the hire after having spent yesterday in Florida attending a memorial service for his father, John, who was killed by an automobile while crossing the street last week.
Johnson, the only living person to manage the Mets to a world championship, cited Collins’ experience as the Mets’ minor league field coordinator as the reason he probably should be hired as manager.
“If I was the GM, I would want somebody that best knew the whole system,” Johnson said. “I’m sure Sandy agrees with this: People who know where talent is on the minor league level and how long it’s going to take to get to the major leagues and how it will affect the major league roster, those are very important people. I would think [Collins] would be the frontrunner.”
Johnson was Backman’s manager for five years and still holds a special place in his heart for the former second baseman, but says Backman is probably fourth on Alderson’s list, based on lack of major league managerial or coaching experience. Backman managed Single-A Brooklyn to the playoffs last season.
Melvin worked as a major league scout for the Mets last season and does have some familiarity with the farm system, but not to Collins’ degree. Melvin and Collins are the favorites for the job.
Johnson says the Mets probably have to rebuild from within, and that makes Collins an asset. Johnson compared it to his own ascension to Mets manager in 1984, after spending three seasons managing within the organization, at Double-A and Triple-A.
“When I first got there my first conversation with [GM] Frank Cashen was, ‘I’ve got three or four guys on the minor league level that I would like in the majors.’ ” Johnson said. “We talked about that. ‘I’ll go with your guys on the major league level, but if they are not cutting it, I want to be able to dump those guys and bring up guys from the minor leagues.’ Whoever [Alderson] has that relationship with is very tantamount.”
Johnson said he’s not surprised the Mets never seriously considered Bobby Valentine for the managerial opening.
“Bobby is very high profile and I think Sandy is probably looking for somebody with a lower profile,” Johnson said.
As much as Johnson would pick Collins, he wouldn’t be shocked if another candidate gets the call.
“It all boils down to who Alderson trusts the most,” Johnson said. “When [Alderson] thinks he’s going to be able to win and who is going to be the guy that helps put that schedule into place.
“Of that group, you probably say the fieriest guy is Wally, and everybody else is kind of mellower. But I respect Sandy Alderson a lot. He’s an outstanding GM and it’s really going to boil down to who he’s more comfortable with.”
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Rudy Terrasas will not return as the Mets’ director of amateur scouting, the team announced yesterday.
Terrasas, who spent five years in the position, could be offered another job within the organization. Terrasas had ties to former GM Omar Minaya, dating to the 1980s when both worked for the Rangers.