Collins has learned his lesson well

Time has taught Terry Collins well. Those 12 years away from the major leagues gave him time for self-reflection and self-criticism. And as a result, the Mets' manager now can admit the error of his ways when he managed the Astros and the Angels.

There's a touch of regret in his voice as he considers how he could have handled things differently. Though his intensity has not dimmed and his passion for the game has not diminished, he believes he's a changed man.

"I have a whole completely different approach to things here," he said. "I enjoy watching our team play, I enjoy being around these players a lot . . . They're a good bunch of guys. And not that there weren't in Anaheim, I don't mean that. It's just that the approach we've taken here is a little different, and probably had I taken that approach in 1999, it might have worked better."

His past and his present collided Friday night when the Mets opened a three-game interleague series with the Angels at Citi Field. Collins, hired by the Angels in 1997, resigned with 29 games left in the 1999 season after his players petitioned GM Bill Bavasi to fire him.

Once considered too fiery for his own good, he now spends his time making the rounds in the clubhouse, offering encouraging words to his players. He focuses on keeping the lines of communication open. He wishes he had done that with the Angels.

"I didn't think you needed to talk to the [Tim] Salmons and the [Darin] Erstads and some of those guys, but that's not true," he said. "You still got to have an open line of communication to where they know where you're coming from and what's expected."

Get well, Kid. The Mets designed a get-well card for Gary Carter that read "Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Kid!" The card, signed by Collins, Mookie Wilson and Ron Darling, was placed in the rotunda for fans to sign. Carter is being treated for Stage 4 brain cancer.