Buck Showalter

New York Yankees managers haven’t been successful with the Mets

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Over the years, the New York Yankees have had some very successful managers that have led them to 27 World Championships. Five of those managers have also managed the New York Mets, but with far less success. Casey Stengel, Joe Torre, Yogi Berra, Dallas Green, and now as of yesterday Buck Showalter. Mets owner Steve Cohen announced the new Mets manager via his Twitter account. But strangely, all but one did not have any success with the Mets.

Casey Stengel, Yankees manager: 1949-60 – Mets manager: 1962-65

During his tenure, Casey Stengel was one of the most successful Yankee managers taking them to seven World Championships. He also took the Yankees to ten American League pennants during his 12 years with the Yankees. It was a different story when he took over the management of the Mets.

In 1962, the New York Mets came on the scene as the first National League expansion team; they selected former Yankee manager Casey Stengel to lead the team. Unfortunately, the results weren’t good; Stengel lost a historic 120 games that year, a stat that still holds today. Following two more 100 game plus losing seasons, Stengel retired after breaking his hip in 1965.

Yogi Berra, Yankees manager: 1964, 1984-85 – Mets manager: 1972-75

Yogi Berra wasn’t the winningest Yankee manager, but he did win a pennant with both the Yankees and the New York Mets. After George Steinbrenner fired Yogi in 1965, he became a coach for the cross-town Mets. In 1972, he became the Mets’ manager and won the NLCS against the Cincinnati Reds.

However, his success was short-lived. In 1973, he won just three more games than he lost, but nevertheless, he carried the team to the World Series, in which he lost four games to three. In 1974 he had a disastrous season with the Mets winning only 71 games. Finally, in 1975 after a poor start, the Mets had seen enough and fired Berra.

Joe Torre, Mets manager: 1977-81 – Yankees manager: 1996-2007

Joe Torre may be an iconic New York Yankee manager, but he managed several bad teams with little success before that. Long before his championship run with the Yankees, he managed the Mets for five years, starting in 1977. It was his first foray into managing, and it showed as he won only 286 games while losing 420. After five years, he was fired by the Mets.

Dallas Green, Yankees manager: 1989 – Mets manager: 1993-96

Many newer Yankee fans may not know that Dallas Green was ever a Yankee manager, but he was for 121 games in the failed 1989 season. Yankee owner George Steinbrenner fired him. But, just a few years later, he was hired by the New York Mets. That stint was just as bad; he had a 229-283 record in his four years at the helm of the Mets.

Buck Showalter, Yankee manager: 1992-95 – Mets manager: 2022 -current

Just being selected by the Mets, Buck Showalter has yet to show his abilities. After two losing seasons, the Mets hired Showalter to right the ship. Mets owner Steve Cohen has given him the tools to do it. 

Showalter managed the New York Yankees for three years from 1992. During his four years as the Yankees’ manager, the team posted a record of 313–268. He finished first in the 1994 strike-shortened season. The Associated Press named him manager of the year. In 1995, he was the manager of the All-Star game. The Yankees won the Wild Card game that year but lost to the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS. Most recently, Showalter was a pre and post-game commentator for the Yankees on the YES Network.

Showalter’s management career has been mostly tainted by taking over loser teams, the Diamondbacks, the Rangers, the Orioles, and the Yankees during some poor years. But Showalter enters this challenge with two of the best pitchers in the business and a much better Mets team. Time will tell, but many analysts say with Showalter at the helm, the team could win their first World Series since 1986.

New York Mets: Cohen hires ex-Yankee manager Buck Showalter

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After two losing seasons, the New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has finally chosen a new manager to lead the Mets to a post-season appearance. Cohen announced on his Twitter account that he had selected Buck Showalter.

Going into the last round of interviews, Showalter seemed to be the favorite. The Mets had already rejected Bob Geren, Clayton McCullough, and Brad Ausmus. That left Showalter, Astros’ bench coach Joe Espada. and Tampa Bay Rays’ bench coach Matt Quatraro. We now know that Showalter got the job.

Showalter managed the New York Yankees for three years from 1992. During his four years as the Yankees’ manager, the team posted a record of 313–268. He finished first in the 1994 strike-shortened season. The Associated Press named him manager of the year. In 1995 he was the manager of the All-Star game. The Yankees won the Wild Card game that year but lost to the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS. Most recently, Showalter was a pre and post-game commentator for the Yankees on the YES Network.

Showalter also managed the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers. Showalter, in his career, has been named manager of the year three times, most recently with the Orioles.

Showalter had his longest term as a manager with the Baltimore Orioles. He managed the O’s from 2013 to 2018. He took over the losing team and became the first manager to take over a losing team mid-season and turn it into a winning record at the end of the season. Showalter brought the Orioles to the post-season three of his five years with the team. Showalter’s contract was up after the 2018 season, and with 115 losses that year, he was not brought back as manager.

The Mets have already made some very smart moves with Cohen’s pocketbook open. New general manager Eppler has added outfielders Starling Marte and Mark Canha, infielder Eduardo Escobar, and in the big move, spent $130 million on another ace pitcher in Max Scherzer on a three-year contract. With Jacob deGrom and Francisco Lindor back for the 2022 season, Showalter will have a lot to work with.

The choice of Showalter is an interesting one; he is an old-time gut manager. He understands and respects analytics, but you can bet he will overrule them when his gut tells him otherwise. Stay with EmpireSportsMedia.com as this story unfolds.

Mets name three finalists for manager job

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The New York Mets have been looking for a manager for a long time, since they decided not to bring back Luis Rojas early in the offseason. They brought in several star players and their new general manager, Billy Eppler, but so far, they haven’t decided who will lead the dugout and make in-game decisions. They are about to, however.

According to SNY Andy Martino, the Mets have narrowed down their search to three finalists after the first round of interviews: veteran Buck Showalter, Houston Astros’ bench coach Joe Espada and Tampa Bay Rays’ bench coach Matt Quatraro.

Six people were interviewed during the first round: the three mentioned candidates still have a chance, and Bob Geren, Clayton McCullough, and Brad Ausmus have been ruled out at this point.

SNY reports that Mets’ owner Steve Cohen is expected to be involved in the last round of interviews early this week, and a final decision is expected before next week.

Showalter is still the favorite to be the new Mets manager

Those with knowledge about the situation have said Martino that Showalter is the clear favorite to end up with the job. He is thought to be the guy unless something unexpected happens this week in the final round of interviews.

“Feels almost inevitable,” Martino said.

The Mets are trying to jumpstart their contention window after the finished the last two seasons with a losing record. Even though they were expected to make a deep playoff run this past campaign, they finished 77-85, including an ugly second-half collapse fueled by several injuries, including their best pitcher, Jacob deGrom, and their best position player (Francisco Lindor).

Cohen, Eppler and the Mets have already added outfielders Starling Marte and Mark Canha, infielder Eduardo Escobar, and star pitcher Max Scherzer to an already talented pool of players, and more moves are expected after the lockout with so much uncertainty surrounding the starting rotation.

Mets reportedly “very impressed” with Buck Showalter interview

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New York Mets

The New York Mets are interviewing a “mystery” candidate for their managerial opening on Thursday, as they look to fill one of the most important positions a team can have. They have already talked to several interested contenders, including Brad Ausmus, Matt Quatraro, and others.

Buck Showalter, was interviewed on Wednesday and things reportedly went very well. “(The) Mets first round of interviews is almost over. One interview tomorrow with a mystery candidate (not a mystery to the team, who have this person on the schedule, but to me). Buck Showalter did well today,” was the report of SNY writer Andy Martino.

Showalter is the favorite for the job, and has by far the most experience in the group of candidates, that also includes Joe Espada and Bob Geren.

Showalter managed the New York Yankees between 1992 and 1995; the Arizona Diamondbacks from 1998 to 2000; the Texas Rangers from 2003 to 2006); and the Baltimore Orioles manager from 2010 to 2018. Showalter is also the preferred manager candidate of new Mets’ signing Max Scherzer.

The favorite for the Mets’ manager job could embrace analytics

Former Mets’ manager Terry Collins did say Showalter would be open to embracing analytics.

“I just know [Showalter] is so organized and with all the stuff available today, he is one of the guys who would use it all, sort it out and then make his decisions,” former Mets manager Terry Collins told The New York Post. “I know that he’s got great leadership in the clubhouse, he’s a no-nonsense guy — ‘The game is meant to be played a certain way and we’re going to go play it that way.’ And it might be time for that kind of attitude here.”

Per Joel Sherman, “the plan is to take what is currently six publicly known candidates who will all do the Zoom and whittle it down to 2-3 for face-to-face next week and potentially a decision.”

Mets: Scherzer’s preferred managerial candidate will interview on Wednesday

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Simeon Woods-Richardson

The New York Mets brought several quality players in the early part of the offseason: Starling Marte, Mark Canha, Eduardo Escobar, and Max Scherzer are some of them. They also hired a general manager in Billy Eppler.

The only thing missing for them to try and take on the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins, and Washington Nationals on the NL East is a manager. Luis Rojas, a longtime worker of the Mets, was the skipper for the last two seasons, but didn’t work out and was not offered an extension. His contract expired and he joined the Yankees as a third base coach.

Since there is a lockout in place and MLB teams aren’t able to make transactions, trades, or free agent signings, the Mets’ only focus at the time is bringing a quality manager that helps them take the leap.

Buck Showalter, Joe Espada, Brad Ausmus, and a couple of other names are currently in the mix for the position. The Mets also asked permission to talk to other teams’ coaches, such as the Tampa Bay Rays’ Matt Quatraro.

A Mets’ star didn’t hide his preference for Showalter

However, one of the candidates has the blessing of new Mets’ star pitcher, Scherzer: Buck Showalter. According to multiple reports, Showalter is “seen as the favorite” for the Mets’ job and will have his interview with the club on Wednesday, December 8.

Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated reported on Tuesday that Scherzer, who signed a three-year, $130 million deal with the Mets a few days ago, prefers Buck Showalter to be the next manager.

Showalter has a career 1,551–1,517 record, with a .506 winning percentage as a skipper. He has managed the Yankees, the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Texas Rangers, and the Baltimore Orioles. The last time he led an MLB team was 2018.

The experienced Showalter is a three-time Manager of the Year award winner, in 1994, 2004, and 2014.

New York Yankees News/Rumors: Buck Showalter what could you be thinking? (video)

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The New York Yankees are certainly in trouble with their pitching rotation. They actually don’t have a rotation. They have ace Gerrit Cole, but that is pretty much it. At the end of the World Series, they lost Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton, and J.A. Happ. All because they became free agents and were not offered qualifying offers to remain with the team.

Other than the other holes, this puts the New York Yankees in the same situation they were last season; no real second premium pitcher to back up Cole. If the Yankees take Masahiro Tanaka bac, which some believe they will, they will be in the same position this year as they were last. Usually, when you apply the same thinking to a situation that didn’t work the first time, it likely will produce the same result… failure!

After a season of unprecedented loss by the Yankees and all MLB teams, due to the coronavirus, it’s doubtful that there will be any huge buys by teams that are cash short. There is also the factor to consider that teams don’t have any clear picture of what a 2021 season will look like. But there is no question that the Yankees must get another premium pitcher in that rotation.

Shockingly, ex-Yankee manager Buck Showalter has come up with a rotation that is all “Rookie.” Showalter on the “Hot Stove” that the Yankees should go “young.” He mentioned Jordan Montgomery, Deivi Garcia, Clarke Schmidt, and even recently protected minor leaguers Alexander Vizcaino, Roansy Contreras, and Yoendrys Gomez. Although this would indeed be adorable with a rotation stacked with rookies, it is more risky than cute.

Although it’s not impossible that these great New York Yankees prospect could technically pull it off, it isn’t very likely at best. Deivi Garcia made his major league debut at the end of the season, Schmidt only pitched in a few games, and the others have never started a game in the majors. Showalter is a highly respected manager, and it would make me wonder what he was thinking. Possibly feeling the Yankees wouldn’t go out a get a big name to back up Cole, he suggested in desperation.

Mid-season, the Yankees will be getting back Luis Severino from Tommy John surgery, and if Hal Steinbrenner agrees to allow the return of Domingo German, he could fill in that number two spot. At the beginning of the season, that would produce a lineup of Cole, German, Montgomery, Tanaka, if they can work out a deal, and Garcia anchoring the rotation. Although not perfect, that would seem to be the way to go, not with all untried rookies.

Showalter also suggested a 100 game season for 2021; listen below.

New York Yankees: Buck Showalter recommends that the rotation should “go young”

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New York Yankees, Deivi Garcia

On YES Network’s “Hot Stove”, analyst Buck Showalter suggested that the New York Yankees rotation should “go young”. The Yankees rotation is in a roster turnover, with many of their arms from 2020 hitting the free agency market this winter. They could choose to go to free agency to staff the rotation, or focus on in-house options.

Some of those in-house options include Jordan Montgomery, Deivi Garcia, and Clarke Schmidt. All three of these guys have had opportunities in the majors, with Montgomery being on the roster since 2017.

Montgomery pitched to a 9-7 in 2017, his rookie season. He had a 3.88 ERA 144 strikeouts and a 1.230 WHIP over 155.1 innings, finishing sixth in Rookie of the Year voting.

He would make six starts in 2018 before injuring his arm and being forced to undergo Tommy John surgery, sidelining him until the end of the 2019 season. Montgomery appeared twice leading up to the 2019 postseason to shake-off the rust, beginning his 2020 comeback.

His first full-season back saw him finish with a 2-3 record and a 5.11 ERA in 10 starts, slowly returning back to his normal self and showing glimmers of success.

Garcia and Schmidt, on the other hand, have far less experience. While Garcia made six starts in 2020, Schmidt appeared just three times. Garcia posted a 4.98 ERA, while Schmidt held a 7.11 ERA to his name.

If the Yankees were to focus on in-house options filling the rotation, it would be a high risk, high reward scenario. The team would save a lot of money by pitching young guys who have a lot of potential. On the other hand, the Yankees are one of the best teams in all of baseball, and not going after veterans could hurt their postseason chances.

Veterans provide experience with proven talent, something you won’t see in young pitchers. For the Yankees to have the most success, they may be better off mixing in-house guys with veteran free-agents.

Showalter’s proposal of the Yankees rotation going young sounds like a good idea, but won’t work. With how competitive the Yankees are, the can’t afford to stay away from high-profile, proven veterans. Having a mix of young pitchers may help the team, but focusing solely on young-guns will hurt the Yankees.

New York Mets: Five Possible Replacements for Carlos Beltran

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New York Mets, Terry Collins

Over the last 48 hours, controversy and rumors of Carlos Beltran stepping down from his manager position have been surrounding the New York Mets. Should Beltran leave his job, who are the best candidates to jump in and take the reigns with less than a month until Spring Training starts?

Terry Collins

His name either brings back memories of happiness or causes other Mets fans to begin to gag. Collins would be a solid choice in a one-year role while the Mets try to figure out their manager for the following season. He has a good relationship with a majority of the roster and was a key figure of bringing the Mets out of their chaos from the early part of the last decade. Collins is the latest manager to bring the Mets to the World Series and already has direct experience with the job as Mets manager.

Hensley Meulens

Meulens is currently the bench coach for the Mets and has been involved in baseball since 1985 as a player. His experience and knowledge certainly qualifies him to become the manager. Meulens has managed the Netherlands multiple times in the Summer Olympics and World Baseball Classic. Since 2010, he spent time as the hitting coach and then bench coach under Bruce Bochy in the San Francisco Giants organization. Meulens has respect from players throughout the league and speaks five different languages.

Eduardo Perez

Perez was originally one of the few remaining candidates who lost out on the Mets job. He has experience managing in Puerto Rico along with various coaching roles in the earlier part of the 2010s. As much as Perez would like the opportunity to manage, it would be hard to see him jumping out of a multi-year deal he signed to remain as an analyst on ESPN. Despite the lack of time he would have to prepare, the talent the Mets have on their roster may be too much to pass on.

Buck Showalter

Much like Collins, Showalter would be with the Mets as a short term option. His resume speaks for itself and is the most polished out of anyones on the list. Showalter’s last job with the Orioles did not end as smoothly as he wanted, and his older style of managing could be what the Mets need to get eyes focused on the product on the field, not off it. The seven names surrounding Showalter on the all-time wins list are all in the hall of fame, so he is not a wrong choice to settle on.

David Wright

The chance of Wright taking the job has to be less than one percent, but you have to make the call to ask. With all the negativity surrounding the Mets, Wright is the joyful and hopeful face fans, and the organization can rally around. Wright represents the opposite approach the Mets could take when compared to Showalter. He knows the media, the clubhouse knows and respects him. Much like Beltran, Wright is a former player with a brilliant baseball mine and exceptional leadership qualities. With all the analytics and Brodie Van Wagenen involved, how much managing would he even need to do?

New York Mets: Jeff Wilpon’s Power Struggle

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New York Mets, Jeff Wilpon

Stop me if you have heard this one before…Jeff Wilpon wants full control over the New York Mets decisions. The COO of the organization looks to hire a manager who falls in line. Instead their aim should be a manager who will do things their own way.

This does not rule out the possible hiring of Joe Girardi or Buck Showalter, which is why they are still receiving interviews. Both managers are guys who want to run the team their own way and leave the front office out of their decision making. This was part of the reason why the Yankees let Girardi go because they wanted someone who would know their place in the organization.

First Year Managers Only?

It is hard to think any veteran manager will simply fall in line with what Wilpon/Brodie Van Wagenen want. Much like Mickey Callaway they will take a chance on a manager without any experience who will follow what he is told. If this is the case, expect another year(s) of futility from the Mets.

This has been the issue since the Wilpons took control of the Mets. Everything has to be done their way and no World Series championships in the last 33 years should show that this is not working. Jeff and Fred Wilpon never worked in baseball outside of owning the team and their baseball opinions are just as good as someone you find on the street. They are single handedly killing their own franchise and their idea that they know best will continue to hold back the franchise.

As the list of candidates settle, the manager who will not be a “yes man” deserves the job. Girardi/Showalter and a potential future hall of famer in Carlos Beltran do not fit that mold. The selected manager will be very telling of what the future of the team will be.