ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- The Anaheim Angels have rid themselves of manager Terry Collins after all, but it took a nine-game losing streak and the worst record in baseball to do it.

The volatile Collins resigned today and was replaced by bench coach Joe Maddon for the rest of the season.

Several Angels players had pushed for the departure of the intense Collins earlier this season, but general manager Bill Bavasi instead gave Collins a contract extension on June 22.

The injury-plagued Angels hardly rallied around Collins, who never played in the major leagues. Anaheim has lost 21 of its last 26 games, dropping its record to 51-82. Despite a $51 million payroll, the Angels were 8-21 last month, the second-most losses in August in club history.

"It is with a heavy heart that I am agreeing with Terry's desire to bring his tenure as the field manager of our club to a close today," said Bavasi, whose decision to give Collins an extension could put his own job status in doubt. "We had felt that evaluations would be handled at the conclusion of the season. Our mutual decision should not be considered a poor reflection on Terry's managerial skills, his work ethic or his loyalty."

Anaheim hosts the New York Yankees tonight in the opener of a four-game series.

The Angels again were expected to contend for a playoff spot this year, especially with the offseason free agent signing of first baseman Mo Vaughn, the 1995 American League Most Valuable Player.

But a series of injuries that seemingly have cursed the franchise in recent years surfaced again, beginning in spring training when shortstop Gary DiSarcina suffered a broken left forearm when hit by a fungo bat.

The Angels have had 18 players on the disabled list this season, including Vaughn, DiSarcina, outfielders Darin Erstad and Jim Edmonds and pitchers Tim Belcher and Ken Hill.

Collins managed the Angels to an 84-78 mark in 1997, his first year in Anaheim after a three-year stint with the Houston Astros. He was fired by the Astros after leading them to three consecutive second-place finishes in the National League Central Division. The Angels were 85-77 last season.

Collins' teams finished in second place in each of his first five seasons on the job.

A native of Midland, Missouri, he owns a career managerial record of 444-434, including a 220-237 mark with Anaheim. Collins played in the Pittsburgh and Los Angeles organizations but never made it to the majors.

The Angels have never reached the World Series and have not appeared in the postseason since 1986. There also is speculation that the Walt Disney Company is negotiating to sell the team.

The 45-year-old Maddon is in his sixth season as an Angels' coach and his 18th year with the franchise. Like Collins, he never played in the majors, although he has served as a minor league manager.

Collins is the third managerial casualty in the majors since the start of the year. Tim Johnson was fired by the Toronto Blue Jays in spring training and the Milwaukee Brewers dismissed Phil Garner last month.