3 Mets managers whose records are not indicative of their value to the club

2) Mickey Callaway, 163-161

Mickey Callaway is a forgettable figure in Mets history. His hiring as Mets manager was puzzling when it happened, and even more puzzling when realizing what was there when you pulled back the curtain.

Callaway was given his chance with the Mets based on the credit bestowed upon him by Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) manager Terry Francona. Francona said that the Indians won the 2016 World Series because of Callaway and his work with the pitching staff.

The Mets were lured by that as the rotation had Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, and Steve Matz. Callaway was expected to nurture them along and bring a championship that they were so close to just a few seasons prior. And it didn’t go as planned.

Callaway got off to a quick 11-1 start in his season (2018), yet finished under .500. He would finish 10 games over .500 the next season, but the pitching staff – his supposed niche – finished with a team ERA of 4.24 and each of the starters performed well below expectations.

Callaway had never managed before, and he has never managed again. Off the field controversies aside, Callaway was not the right person to lead the Mets, even though he would finish his two-season job two game over at .503.