The New York Mets hired Buck Showalter to be their manager for the 2022 season and, they hope, well beyond that.
They interviewed multiple candidates for the position and ended up prioritizing things like experience, clubhouse presence, and leadership.
Showalter also has a history of getting along with the press, so the Mets also like the image he can project.
Overall, the Mets’ decision to hire him has had its fair share of criticism, but it has also been lauded by many in the industry.
Here are three reasons why Mets fans should be excited to have him on board.
3. He Is A Seasoned Veteran And Knows The Game
Showalter, as opposed to the Mets’ other two candidates for the manager position (Joe Espada and Matt Quatraro), has several years of big league experience as a skipper.
The last time the Mets decided to go with a rookie manager, Luis Rojas, the experiment didn’t go so well.
Rojas accumulated two losing seasons before the Mets chose not to renew his contract.
Showalter has managed MLB clubs since he took over the New York Yankees in 1992.
He had stints in the Bronx and with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles.
He is a three-time American League Manager of the Year, with three different squads.
Those who have been around him praise his knowledge of the game and veteran presence.
2. He Is Well-Respected Around Baseball
Experience is nothing without the respect of your peers, and Showalter has earned it over the years.
New Mets’ pitching reinforcement for 2022, Max Scherzer, reportedly made it clear that Showalter was his preferred choice as manager.
Manny Machado, who played for the Orioles in his early years, recently said Showalter had a huge incidence in his growth as a player and as a person.
“Machado credits Showalter with making him the player he is today.”
Manny Machado can opt out of his contract after the 2023 season.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) December 19, 2021
Coaches, players, and even journalists expressed respect for Showalter and supported the Mets’ decision.
Showalter was seen as the favorite to get the job from the start of the recruiting process, and part of the reason the Mets’ ownership and front office were enamored with him is because he is a widely respected figure around baseball.
Buck Showalter is the new manager of the #Mets. @Jim_Duquette says there was "no way" it was going to be anyone but him. Now, the sky's the limit.@Mets | #LGM pic.twitter.com/cPZG9FMJTq
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) December 18, 2021
1. He Seems To Be Open To A New Era Of Analytics
Showalter won’t be mistaken for Kevin Cash anytime soon, and that’s clear.
But in interviews from recent years, he has shown a grasp of several analytics concepts and a willingness to apply them in games.
The Mets are moving toward an analytics-driven front office and have hired people that will help in that regard.
Showalter will likely be the one deciding the lineup, pitching changes, and other moves, but he is not stubborn and sounds like he is open to embrace the power of numbers as a new way of managing in MLB.
It remains to be seen how many of the analytics department’s recommendations Showalter will actually follow.
Maybe we will never know, but so far, he at least understands times are changing in the way the game is played and is eager to feed himself with as much information as he can to make his decisions.
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Great hire by the Mets. Loved him when he was with the Os. The Mets will be winners from day 1 under his control.