Ray Savage - SAVAGE VIEWS – Managing the Mets

 

SAVAGE VIEWS – Managing the Mets

October 14, 2021

During the 60 years that the Mets have been in existence, twenty two have been asked to manage this team, including four interim managers.  Luis Rojas, the latest casualty, follows a long line of managers who did not make it past the second year.  Actually, only nine made it past year two.

Of these twenty two how many earned high grades.  Two were Hall of Fame talents whose best work was for other teams.  Joe Torre spent his apprenticeship at the Mets before he earned his bona fides with the Yankees.  Amazing how talent can bring out the genius in a guy like Torre.

And of course who can forget the unforgettable Casey Stengel.  Unfortunately, he left his managerial talent at Yankee Stadium.

It is undisputable who the top three Met managers were.  While I am biased toward Gil Hodges, I think it’s fair to say that Davey Johnson and Bobby Valentine can also claim the title as best Mets manager.

Only Bud Harrelson, Willie Randolph and Mickey Callaway ended their Mets careers with more wins than losses.  However, few would give them high marks for their managerial acumen.  With the exception of Joe Torre, departed Mets managers did not hook up with other teams following their tenure with the team. 

Now, if I were to come up with a top five list who would deserve the nod?  Terry Collins and Dallas Green perhaps to complement the top three?  My top five list maxes out at three with hopefully good things to come from future hirers.

The three men who had success managing the Mets had similar traits;

1.  Strong leadership skills.  These were men you wanted to go into battle with.  When they were in the dugout there was no doubt about who was in charge.

2.  Great communicators.  This is especially true in today’s climate when you may have players on your team from all over the globe.  Clearly, players need to be on board with your decision making.  Also, solid media relations cannot be underemphasized.   New York remains a tough market and the media can make life hell if not catered to.

3.  Manage to win.  This means a controlled aggressive approach to take advantage of the other team’s shortcomings.  For example, if a pitcher has a poor track record of holding runners, attempt to steal at every opportunity.  Or, lots of time in a first and third situation with less than two outs, the runner on first is often ignored and can walk to second.  Take advantage of that situation.  I’m a firm believer in forcing the other team’s hand.   Take the extra base, utilize speed to steal a base or take an extra base. 

4.  Develop a winning attitude.  This has been a missing ingredient for a number of years.   Winning teams believe in themselves.  It’s the “knock the chip off my shoulder mentality”.  I’d like to see more players like deGrom, Alonso, Nimmo and McNeil on my team.

5.  Trust the pitching staff.  As a rule starting pitchers should be allowed to go deep into games.  Pulling a SP after 74 pitches is insane and puts stress on the bullpen.  An overworked pen produces cataclysmic results.

At this stage I have no idea who the next manager will be.  I’d be ok if they brought back Beltran.  Right now I have no preference.  Experience may be desirable but all experienced managers are on the market because they were dismissed from their prior positions.

Ray