NY Post: Sherman: Pattern of collapsing after break is Mets organizational issue

Well, the Mets collapsed down the stretch for Willie Randolph in 2007 and, to some degree, for Jerry Manuel in 2008. But it is since 2009 — for Manuel and Terry Collins — that their pattern has really established. In that period, the Mets are 182-170 (.517) in the first half (the majors’ 13th-best record). But in the second halves, they are 109-168 (.394) and only the Pirates at 100-176 (.362) are worse. And Pittsburgh — trying to end its record 20 straight losing seasons — is crumbling down the stretch, as well.

That the Mets have faltered for multiple managers doesn’t dismiss that as a contributing factor (after all, look what Buck Showalter has meant to changing the culture of the Orioles). But I still believe this is a bigger issue involving a culture beyond the manager’s office and the lack of overall organization depth.