Mets fire manager Mickey Callaway after two seasons

Mickey Callaway’s time in Flushing is up. 

Two years after the New York Mets hired him to lead the organization in a new direction, the team parted with the first-time manager with one year remaining on his three-year contract. 

Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, who inherited Callaway as his manager for the 2019 season, said the move is “in the best interest of our franchise at this time.

“We want to thank Mickey for his consistent work ethic and dedication,” Van Wagenen added in a statement.

Callaway went 163-161 in his two seasons at the helm. New York was 77-85 during his first year on the job, and 86-76 this year. 

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The Mets hired Callaway before the 2018 season. (Photo: Isaiah J. Downing,-USA TODAY Sports)

Speculation of Callaway’s ouster dates back to May, when the struggling club built to contend in 2019 continually floundered. But an inspired second half, highlighted by the club’s 46-26 after the All-Star break, put the Mets on the precipice of playoff contention. 

It wasn’t enough to make the playoffs, and it wasn’t enough to save the skipper’s job, either. Callaway had felt the team’s success down the stretch indicated he should hold onto his gig. Mets management disagreed.  

Callaway was prone to in-game blunders that stunted the team’s potential at times. Last season, his team batted out of order in Cincinnati. Questionable bullpen usage and lineup construction plagued him throughout his brief Mets tenure. 

Callaway had been hired after a successful stint as the Cleveland Indians pitching coach from 2013-17. He oversaw a capable staff led by right-handers Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer, along with a high-powered bullpen. After back-to-back postseason appearances, the Mets tabbed Callaway to take over after seven years of Terry Collins at the helm. 

Under Callaway, Mets righty Jacob deGrom turned in one of the more impressive pitching campaigns in recent history on his way to the 2018 NL Cy Young, and he has a good chance to repeat next month. 

The Mets join a crowded list of MLB teams seeking a new manager. The Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants all currently have openings. 

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