Jun 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets manager Buck Showalter (11) argues with umpire Gerry Davis (12) against the Philadelphia Phillies during the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies
(Queens, NY) – It’s never easy to part ways with a beloved manager who’s been among the league’s best skippers for decades.
Buck Showalter certainly fits that description. He was given a standing ovation prior to the Mets’ season finale on Sunday, after Showalter had announced that he wouldn’t be returning for the 2024 campaign. That’s a good representation of how Mets’ fans felt about Showalter – likely as much because of what he represents to MLB, and his entire body of work.
After beginning as Yankees manager in 1992, William Nathaniel “Buck” Showalter III has closed this most recent chapter in Flushing, Queens. Whether or not he returns to manage again is unclear, but it’s been an extremely impressive career either way, one that could – but likely won’t – end with him being enshrined in Cooperstown. Showalter was always the bridesmaid, and never the bride – in leading the Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles to become contending clubs. In the case of the Yankees, Diamondbacks, and Rangers, he left just prior to pennant runs. And that’s something Mets fans would surely sign up for, the idea that “Buck” had left a seat warm enough for the next skipper to come in and win.
Over the summer, many called for Buck’s firing. This was as the Mets fell from contention, dealing with a series of injuries, underperformance, suspension, and all of the other things that befall clubs that expected to contend. But owner Steve Cohen held firm and indicated he was in no rush for terminate Showalter, or GM Steve Eppler. So now, Eppler remains – albeit with a sort of demotion, given his boss is now President of Baseball Operations David Stearns.
Yet Showalter has been let go, and that’s perhaps because Stearns intends to hire his own manager. It’s the right move, even if it stings a little bit to see such a good “baseball guy” leave on anything less than his own terms. Showalter is not to blame for all of the Mets struggles this year. That’s on the players first and foremost. Plus, when Edwin Diaz went down with injury pre-season, any dreams of a World Series run were cooked. The Mets shuffled the deck with their bullpen, and came up with mostly crappy hands. It’s also fair to say that Showalter did not manage with enough urgency during the team’s early summer swoon – making some questionable bullpen decisions and stubbornly leaning on veteran players.
At risk of being “ageist,” Showalter – who will turn 68 next spring – may or may not be leaning toward retirement. He’s certainly not expected to be managing for another 10 years. Even five years may be a stretch. With Stearns now entering a five-year contract, it’s only fitting that he will choose a manager that can hopefully be alongside him for that same time period.
Like Showalter said, it’s not the ending he or Mets fans wanted. Last year was the best chance since 1986 to end the Mets championship drought, and finally get Showalter that brass ring. But Showalter’s not getting into any of that. He said he won’t spend too much time on the maybes and “what could have beens,” adding, “I was honored to get a chance to manage a second New York team and I’m proud of what the Mets did… I wish things could’ve gone better this season because Mets fans deserve that.”
The older skipper, who harkens back to a bygone era of baseball, also spoke his mind in a way that may help the future Mets get over the hump. According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, Showalter told GM Billy Eppler the Mets analytics team is “a bunch of cymbal-clanging monkeys” during his exit interview. And after a season in which the Mets returned to their all-or-nothing approach, with batting averages in the .200s all over the lineup, and horrific numbers from the bullpen — it’s certainly worth taking a close look at everything. That certainly includes the analytics department. And – a brand new manager.
