Manager Terry Collins to Mets: Do not retaliate against Dodgers
New York Manager Terry Collins discusses a controversial play in Game 2 in which Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada was upended by a slide from the Dodgers’ Chase Utley.
Although New York fans and media might be thirsting for revenge, Mets Manager Terry Collins said Monday he has told his team not to retaliate against the Dodgers.
“The minute we make this some type of grudge match, we’re going to make some mistakes,” Collins said before Game 3 of the National League division series. “We can’t afford to do that.”
Had Collins conveyed that message directly to Mets starter Matt Harvey?
“Been told,” Collins said.
Collins said the Mets still are upset about how they lost shortstop Ruben Tejada to a broken leg on Saturday, when the Dodgers’ Chase Utley slid into him. On Sunday, Utley was suspended two games, but the suspension is on hold pending his appeal.
Utley is a career .333 hitter against Harvey, but the Dodgers are not starting him. Collins said he was surprised at that decision and wondered aloud whether Utley might have been injured in the collision with Tejada. Utley, who remained in the game after the collision, passed a concussion test.
Collins reiterated that he did not want his team to retaliate.
“This is too big a game,” he said. “We need to not worry about retaliating. We need to worry about winning.”
Follow Bill Shaikin on Twitter @BillShaikin
Are you a true-blue fan?
Get our Dodgers Dugout newsletter for insights, news and much more.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
