Mickey Callaway received the dreaded vote of confidence Monday. That is, the one that often precedes a manager or coach’s firing.
After meeting with Mets players and coaches to voice support for the manager, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Callaway would continue to lead the team for the “foreseeable future.”
The pronouncement came at Citi Field as the Mets prepared to open a four-game series against the Nationals, which followed their latest road trip from hell, a 1-5 jaunt that included getting swept three games by the worst team in the major leagues, the Miami Marlins.
“Mickey is our manager going forward and we are going to provide the same support we had for him throughout the offseason as we have to this point and we’ll continue that effort with full steam ahead,” Van Wagenen said. “From our standpoint the mission I outlined when I was hired was pretty clear: I sat in the same chair and made the comments that we want to win and win now and in the future.
“We have experienced a start to the season that none of us are happy with, that none of us are content with, but the finger-pointing is not going down the chain of command to the players and the coaches.”
The Mets entered play 20-25, following an offseason in which Van Wagenen told National League opponents to “come get us.” But the Mets have disappointed, mostly because of an anemic lineup. The ineptitude included getting shut out in consecutive games over the weekend against the Marlins in which the Mets totaled just three hits.
Callaway thanked Van Wagenen, the front office and team owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon for sticking by him.
“I never felt that I wasn’t supported at any time and we’ve always had unbelievable dialogue about how we can do things better,” Callaway said. “We have to do things better and we have to start winning games. That is what our focus has been at all times.”
By not committing to Callaway for the rest of the season, Van Wagenen is leaving open the possibility the manager will be replaced if the Mets don’t rebound soon. Internally, bench coach Jim Riggleman and quality control coach Luis Rojas would be options, but an industry source said Van Wagenen has eyes specifically for Buck Showalter and Dusty Baker.Bringing in either highly regarded former manager would play into Van Wagenen’s self-proclaimed penchant for boldness while sending a message to fans that the Mets are still trying to compete. Of course, if the team falls much further below .500 it could be a moot point. This homestand against the struggling Nationals and Tigers is considered important to the team’s rebound efforts.
“We built this team in the front office and believe this team has the ability to contend, the same way we said it in the offseason loudly and proudly,” Van Wagenen said. “The accountability that will ultimately fall on this team I want to place on my shoulders. I think that I was the one that put the efforts into helping build this roster. I will be the one, along with the rest of the front-office team, that will continue to make improvements as we go forward.”
Callaway said he’s tuned out the speculation he will be replaced.
“I have never looked over my shoulder one day,” Callaway said. “I complete the task at hand and the task today is go and win a game.”