NEW YORK — Terry Collins is learning how to manage David Wright's work ethic and sense of accountability.
For the second time this season, Collins made a decision meant to make sure the Mets' best player stays healthy and productive, even if Wright objected. After a Mets reliever hit Milwaukee's best player, Ryan Braun, with a pitch, Wright wanted to make sure that he was the one who got hit by a retaliatory pitch.
Collins wanted no part of that. Not with the Mets trailing 8-0. So he sent up a pinch-hitter, and explained to Wright what was happening. An animated discussion between star and manager in the dugout followed.