A second-half surge back to relevance wasn't enough to save Mickey Callaway's job.
The Mets announced Thursday they have fired their manager after two seasons. Callaway had one year remaining on his deal, plus an option for 2021.
Mickey Callaway has been relieved of his duties. #Mets
— New York Mets (@Mets) October 3, 2019
📝: https://t.co/ZXOBnKyOXS pic.twitter.com/WOhmu2moPK
"We want to thank Mickey for his consistent work ethic and dedication over the last two seasons and I'm certain these characteristics will serve him well in his next opportunity," general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a release. "A decision like this is never easy, however, we believe it is in the best interest of the franchise at this time."
While the move was hardly a shock, Callaway at least made a case to stick around after a rough first half by leading New York to a 46-26 record after the All-Star break. Bottoming out at 11 games under .500 (40-51) on July 12, the Mets finished 86-76 for a nine-game improvement over Callaway's rookie season as a manager.
That wasn't enough to get over the hump and into the playoffs, but the Mets certainly made things interesting after being written off for dead earlier in 2019.
Callaway, the former Indians pitching coach, had a 163-161 record in New York.
Now Van Wagenen will have the opportunity to install his own choice in the dugout after inheriting Callaway last fall. The Mets will have quite a pool of candidates from which to choose, from veterans like Joe Girardi, Buck Showalter or Joe Maddon to following the recent ex-player with no experience model, like MLB Network's Mark DeRosa.
