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.

The Angels seemed to respond to the change, snapping their skid tonight with an 8-2 victory over the New York Yankees. Anaheim also moved out of the American League cellar, percentage points ahead of the Kansas City Royals.

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.

"I had a feeling today that this was the right time," said Collins at an afternoon news conference, holding back tears. "There were two great years here. Hopefully we can forget this one."

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.

"After the All-Star break, we just didn't respond," general manager Bill Bavasi said. "It's a bitter pill for me to swallow. I put a club together that I thought was solid. Lack of performance is what this is all about, no doubt about it."

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.

"I tried everything I knew. A pat on the back, a kick in the butt, talking to them," said Collins, who would not discuss any contract settlement he may have reached with the club. "I know what makes them tick. If I was a distraction for any reason, now they can go out and play."

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.

Bavasi's decision to give Collins an extension could put his own job status in doubt.

"I've got a job to do. Leaving right now is not part of that," Bavasi said. "If I were to walk away and it would help the ballclub, I'd have to think about it."

Maddon, 45, 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 was 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.