It’s devastating: the Mets head coach has announced his unexpected departure, making a strong statement and wishing the team and fans a very fond farewell.
Following a disappointing season in which baseball’s highest-spending team was eliminated from contention by midsummer, Buck Showalter was fired on Sunday.
Prior to the 2023 series finale against Philadelphia, Showalter, 67, declared that he would not be playing in 2023. A short while later, the Mets declared that the team had made this decision.
On Monday, New York will elevate general manager Billy Eppler to the position of president of baseball operations with the appointment of David Stearns. With one season left on his three-year contract, Showalter’s departure frees Stearns to choose the next manager.
During a quick news conference after the game, owner Steve Cohen stated, “They’re entitled to bring in their own people when hiring a president of baseball operations.” “It became apparent that he desired to go in a different direction, and I granted him the freedom to do so. It’s the same as when a CEO joins a brand-new business. They introduce a few members of their own group.
Cohen clarified, “This is not a reflection on Buck.” “Buck completed all of our requests for him. Granted, the season was a letdown, but let’s not blame Buck for it, please? It is dispersed throughout the company.
Stearns and Showalter remained silent until the choice to switch managers was made.
Showalter remarked, “I recognize the responsibility of those things.” “A lot of coaches enter and ask to be assigned to either the offensive or defensive coordinator, according to football terminology. I try not to live in it and think about things like that. All in all, baseball has been very fair to me.
The fourth-place Mets were led by Showalter to a 9-1 loss on Sunday, which put them at 74-87 and 30 1/2 games behind the NL East leaders, Atlanta. He then declared that he would be willing to manage in the majors once more.
“Yes,” he replied. “Physically, I feel fantastic. Being able to keep this together in the clubhouse this year has made me extremely proud. Being able to truly stay on top of things and ensure that some of the challenges we’ve had in the past don’t become the focus has been one of the biggest challenges of my career.
Before the game, players and coaches emerged from the dugout to join fans in extending a standing ovation to Showalter when he brought the lineup card to home plate. As he headed back to the bench, he gave them a salute, and the scoreboard showed his picture along with the words, “Thank You, Buck.”
Francisco Lindor of the Mets stated that bench coach Eric Chavez came up with the idea for the ovation.
Really awesome. Very nice, Lindor remarked. “I wish it hadn’t happened that way, though. If only he could remain here.
After taking over in December 2021, Showalter guided the Mets to a 101-61 record in the previous campaign, earning him the title of NL Manager of the Year. After suffering a series loss to San Diego in the wild-card round, New York strengthened its pitching staff in the offseason by adding three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander. On opening day, the Mets increased their payroll to a record $355 million, but they ultimately had to trade Max Scherzer, Verlander, and a number of other veterans before the trade deadline of August 1.
“I was privileged to have the opportunity to oversee a second New York team,” a moved Showalter, who led the Yankees from 1992 to 1995, remarked in his pregame press conference. “I’m happy with the Mets’ performance. In two years, we won nearly 180 games. As much fun as I’ve ever had in the game, especially last year. That made me realize why I’ve always cherished this line of work.
“The Mets fans deserve better, and I wish we could have had a better season.” I try not to live in that world, but deep down I always wonder what might have happened if this or that had happened,” he continued. “I still love this city and the players, even though it’s not the ending I wanted.”
There has been conjecture that Stearns may pursue the hiring of Craig Counsell, the Milwaukee Brewers manager who is nearing the end of his contract. Until the 2022 season, Stearns oversaw Milwaukee’s baseball operations division. After that, he resigned and assumed an advisory position.
In the previous six years, Counsell has led Milwaukee to five postseason trips, including this season’s third NL Central crown.
With two sons playing college baseball in the Big Ten, Counsell may want to take a break from managing for a while, according to other reports.
In Milwaukee, Counsell stated, “I’ve been very consistent with where I’m at here, and nothing has changed.” “I’m excited about what this team has ahead of it, and that’s all I’m thinking about and caring about right now.” We have the opportunity to accomplish great things, create wonderful memories, and impact some lives. Why would you consider anything else at this time?
With Showalter’s firing, the Mets are in their fifth managerial search since Terry Collins’ seven-year run ended in 2017. None of their previous four seasons lasted longer than two; Carlos Beltrán was fired in the wake of Major League Baseball’s 2017 cheating scandal investigation without even getting to play a game.
With the exception of the Texas Rangers, Showalter has managed the Yankees, Diamondbacks, Orioles, Rangers, and Mets for 22 seasons, going 1,726–1,665 (.509) and sending all of those teams to the postseason.
