The 3 worst managers in Mets history ranked

The Mets have had some bad managers over the years. Some had to suffer through brutal seasons which were pretty much not a reflection of their abilities. Guys like Casey Stengel and Wes Westrum who endured the early years as “lovable losers” and so they weren’t subjected to the harsh ridicule of fans and media. And then there were others…who they, themselves, were brutal.

So you might ask, if Stengel and Westrum are given a pass, then who WOULD be considered the three worst managers in New York Mets history? The answer may surprise you. Oh…and the criteria is that the person had to have spent at least two full seasons as a Mets manager…so that we can fully understand the pain we, as fans, had to endure.

3) Dallas Green

Dallas Green would lead the Philadelphia Phillies to their first World Championship in team history in just his first full season as manager in 1980…after taking over during the 1979 season. It would be his very first managerial gig.

The Phillies were the reigning champions and off to another first place finish in 1981 when the strike hit, and lost momentum when play resumed in the second half of a split season.

Green had a very tough demeanor and was constantly at odds with his players. So following the ’81 season, he took the GM job with the Chicago Cubs. Green began rebuilding the Cubs by pilfering the Phillies organization…including getting some unknown prospect by the name of Ryne Sandberg. But disharmony followed Green to Chicago and even though he built a winner in Chicago, he was forced out after the ’87 season due to constant arguments with the Cubs hierarchy.

He was hired by George Steinbrenner for the 1989 season to replace the easy-going Lou Piniella. Green and Steinbrenner would butt heads and Green would be fired before the end of August.

Then came the Mets. When the Mets fired Jeff Torborg…who really should also be on this list…in 1993, they replaced him with Green who had been working as a scout in the organization.

Green would be at the helm of a very frustrating time for the Mets, as they had recently finished dismantling the last of the late 1980’s Mets and were in the one period where the Wilpons spent money…a LOT of money. Bad signings, bad trades, bad attitudes…and a manager who really needed anger management classes…all the ingredients for a volatile clubhouse.

The bottom line is that Green would never duplicate the success he had in his very first season as a manager with the Phillies. He would never lead a team to a record above .500. And his worst work was with the Mets… 3 ½ seasons with a .447 winning percentage. He was obviously not the answer.