Lennon's short hops: Collins a lot like Valentine In an effort to overhaul their farm system, the Mets reached out to a two-time former manager with a Dodgers background and experience in Japan. No, it wasn't Bobby Valentine. He still works for ESPN. But the similarities between Valentine and Terry Collins are uncanny - from the high motor to the Dodgers pedigree to the fact that each did stints managing in Japan. The comparison is inevitable, and in these parts, where Valentine is viewed as some kind of conquering hero in exile, it's a compliment. "I have had a lot of people that know the two of us say that," Collins said. "A lot of them. People in Japan say the same thing." In listing the potential replacements for Jerry Manuel, should his final season end abruptly, Collins' name usually is included along with newly hired scout Bob Melvin, bench coach Dave Jauss and later down the line, Brooklyn Cyclones manager Wally Backman. But Collins, 60, may be more valuable in his current role as minor-league field coordinator, an ambiguous title that carries with it a very important goal: assess and improve the Mets' organization at every level. "I know the importance of the job, and that is to make sure we're producing major-league baseball players," said Collins, who had the same role with the Dodgers from 2002-06. "We all want them to play in New York. But if Omar [Minaya] needs to make a deal, we've got to have guys who other teams want. That's what this job is about." The Mets' minor-league system also could use an image makeover after Tony Bernazard's reported misconduct last season, and even worse, just one affiliate had a record of .500 or better - their Dominican summer league squad (49-23). The rest of the clubs combined for a .447 winning percentage (366-453), and Triple-A Buffalo, where Collins remains immensely popular from his managing days with the Bisons, was viewed as a civic disaster at 56-87. "I'm not going against anything Tony did - his ideas were his ideas," Collins said. "I didn't experience what happened. I've heard lots and lots and lots of stories. But it's about playing baseball. It's about enjoying the game and learning how to deal with struggles, because it's a long, hard road. To make guys miserable is not what we got into this for. "The object is when the game's over, to have a father leave the park with his son and say, 'That's how you play. That's how you're supposed to play the game.' " Seems like a smart hire, hopefully he sticks around for a while. http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/david-lennon/lennon-s-short-hops-collins-a-lot-like-valentine-1.1834518