New York Mets: Terry Collins Knew Jeurys Familia Could be Special
New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia is the new single-season record holder in saves. Did his manager Terry Collins know he could be special all along?
In a big win for the New York Mets against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night, history was made. Closer Jeurys Familia was able to record his 44th save of the season to set the single-season saves record for the Mets.
With the season just creeping into Septemeber, 44 saves is an incredible achievement for Familia. His manager Terry Collins knew all along that he could be a special pitcher.
“I remember when I saw him in A-ball when I first joined the New York Mets,” Collins said after watching Familia set the single-season team record for saves on Wednesday night to Joe Giglio. “The first time I saw him pitch I said this guy has a chance to be some kind of relief pitcher. With that power sinker? That’s tough, tough to find and he’s done a great job.”
Familia was put in the closers role after Jenrry Mejia was suspended for PEDs. Since then, Familia hasn’t looked back. Familia was arguably better in 2015 than he has been in 2016, but he has already surpassed his save total from last season with another month to play.
“I can go back to when Mejia went down last year and we turned it over to Jeurys,” Collins said to Giglio. “We said, ‘Can you do this?’ and he’s been dominant. He’s learned to take the tough times and stuff them off as part of baseball and bounce back. We’re in the hunt because of him. We got to the World Series last year because of him. I’m proud of him. I’m real, real proud of him.”
For relief pitchers, while skills are important, confidence is key. Although he didn’t believe he had what it took to be a closer, Familia certainly believes in himself now.
“The key is doing my job,” Familia said to Giglio. “Taking it day-to-day. Enjoy every situation that TC puts in my hands. At that point (when Collins named him the closer), I know I had really good stuff, but I didn’t believe the way I believe right now.”
The Mets are in the middle of a great playoff race in the National League. Due to a tight playoff race, there will be plenty of important games for them as we head into September, and Familia will likely be heavily used. Furthermore, we can expect to see Familia easily hit the 50-save mark this season at the rate he is going.
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