Buck Showalter would be perfectly old-school fit for Mets

As the New York Mets start their search for a new manager, Buck Showalter has put his hat in the ring as just the kind of experienced candidate they want.

After a few days where it seemed inevitable, the New York Mets fired manager Mickey Callaway on Thursday after two seasons. They are sure to seek someone who’s the opposite of Callaway, which is to say someone with previous experience and likely with some kind of postseason resume. Buck Showalter would fit that bill.

Showalter managed the Baltimore Orioles for eight-plus seasons prior to this one, and he is now an analyst for YES Network. With over 20 seasons as a major league manager for the New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers and the Orioles, Showalter has won AL Manager of the Year three times with three division titles and five postseason appearances.

During an appearance with Steve Somers on WFAN radio Thursday night, several hours after Callaway was fired, Showalter tentatively threw his hat in the ring as a candidate to be the next Mets’ manager.

"“Yeah, I’d like to be talked about it, but I’m not going to campaign about it, and I’m real uncomfortable even talking about it with you now because there’s a lot of good people out there and they’re going to make a good decision.“They’ll have reasons why and why not, and, you know, I respect that.”"

The status of Philadelphia Phillies manager Gape Kapler remains in limbo, with a decision on his fate now likely coming next week. MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki has reported team brass, with their time spent with him in Baltimore fostering familiarity, wanted to interview Showalter two years ago. He was not available then, but he obviously is now if Kapler is let go. So there may be two NL East teams with interest in Showalter.

Probably rightfully so, the Mets want a manager with experience. Showalter also checks what could be another critical box, as he’s plenty familiar with the New York market from his time managing the early 90s, pre-dynasty that decade, Yankees.

Showalter’s willingness to embrace new methods, labeled with the umbrella crutch word analytics, is unclear. But at first glance, he’s a perfect old school-style candidate for the Mets if that’s the direction they go in their search for a new manager.