JANUARY 19: To this point, neither the Mets nor the Red Sox have reached out to Baker to discuss their respective positions, he tells reporters, including Brian McTaggart of MLB.com (Twitter link). Baker will interview for the Astros’ managerial job tomorrow.
JANUARY 17: The Mets find themselves in need of a new manager after first-timer Carlos Beltran stepped down this week. Now in their second offseason search for a skipper, the Mets are considering veteran Dusty Baker for the role, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
The interest in Baker represents a change in direction for the Mets, as he wasn’t among their candidates before they hired Beltran in November. However, as Puma notes, Baker could act as “a calming influence” for an organization sailing through tempestuous waters in the wake of Beltran’s sudden exit over the Astros’ 2017 sign-stealing scandal. And although a World Series has eluded him, Baker would still be one of the most accomplished Mets hires ever, having managed the Giants, Cubs, Reds and Nationals to a combined 1,863-1,636 record with nine playoff berths from 1993-2017.
Since Beltran stepped down Thursday, Baker’s the second reported possibility to arise for the Mets, who are also considering Luis Rojas, their quality control coach. Rojas was among several candidates the Mets interviewed before hiring Beltran, so it stands to reason those who haven’t gotten managerial jobs since then could also be in the mix.
Let’s do it!
Laugh out loud.
This is funny……..
With every organization Dusty has managed in he’s created an ‘Us against the world’ mentality with the players. The world includes not only opponents and umpires, but the members of the front office of the franchise that employees him (as well as any broadcasters or writers that question Dusty’s awful tactical moves). His trick is to cozy up to the star players to create the void, as the FO is afraid to go against their star players for fear they’ll leave in free agency or demand a trade. The rest of the players follow suit as they don’t have the cache to go up against the team stars.
Yet the Mets under Brodie expect that he and the FO – including the analytic people – will be the ones setting the roster, making out the line-up’s, and dictating the moves to be done each game depending on the game situation.
How Mets is this!?!?!
At the end of the day, dusty gets his players to play. He’s had great teams in San Fran, Cincy, Chicago, and DC. I’m shocked that Mets fans even have an issue with dusty as awful as Mets teams are. Smh. All 4 of the previous teams made it to the playoffs. MADE IT TO THE PLAYOFFS.
@ hinglemccringleberry;
Are you aware that every single team Dusty managed was in tumult when he left?
The Nationals did the right thing – they got him out of there after one year. Before he could do major damage to the culture they had created.
Two years later they not only MADE IT TO THE PLAYOFFS, they won the World Series.
Reminds me of Dombroski in that they’re hired to win which they both consistently have done and after leaving, no love is shown. Dusty hasn’t won in the playoffs, I get that but he got teams there which is more than most managers. I look At him as an interim manager and have suggested he take over the Red Sox with Varitek as his bench coach. Considering the situation, if not him I’d go with retreads who have won in the tough markets, Collins for the Mets and Farell for the Red Sox. Spring training is one month away and they each are very familiar with the team in addition to the market media.
He gets his players to play? Are you serious? Think about what you just said there. Also, I’m aware you mean it metaphorically, however you sound like a moron. Dusty Baker ruined Mark Prior, crushed the hearts of Cubs and Giants fans, ruins relationships between players and the front office and is a terrible manager.
@vandals – you know what you’re talking about. Anyone rooting for the Mets to hire Baker…. Look at the comments of fans of other teams here, not just the Mets fans…. They are begging us to get Baker. He would end up leading the biggest “LOLMets” circus yet
And his teams always did better AFTER HE LEFT!
Which is NOT, the goal. He pulled that crap in Cincy and now most of the fans think that’s sufficient. The goal is a Championship!!
The Mets only have 1 employee in analytics and he only understands batting avg and ERA
The Reds didn’t
not the Reds
Whatever. You’re a moron if you didn’t see that prior and wood had awful mechanics. Once again for cubs fans, where were you before dusty? As far as giants fans, are you woke? How many years did the giants challenge for a west title? Stop name calling and look at dustys record for every team. All teams were horrible upon taking over then got better. Smh.
Yeah but taking a cue from the family guy, the season wouldn’t be over after the first pitch of the season .
Where were they before? We can play glass half empty all day.
Got the reds to the playoffs 3 out of 4 years in a stretch. Reds were trash when he got there, he turned it around. Team turned to trash when he left. 6 straight years.
Hingle has some good points. Wood had already blown his arm long before Dusty showed up. If I remember correctly, Prior tried pitching through a foot problem and the arm troubles began. Either way, every team across the league has sent a player to Dr. Andrews.
You know what’s truth? Dusty gets teams to the playoffs. Dusty comes in and helps teams. That is a track record that cannot be denied.
Dusty is at least in the Top 3 names to be hired. Showalter would be my #1 and Scioscia should be considered.
Dusty is a horrible tactician, and a complete simpleton. He was blessed with some good teams. That’s all.
Easily his biggest blunder was not making a calming mound visit after the Bartman incident in 2003. He just sat there and watched the carnage unfold, hit-after-hit. It was unreal.
His teams notoriously collapse in the playoffs, because he is a simpleton that gets out-managed, every single time
Name caller. Big man!
He destroys arms and cant win thw big games ie he is a loser and has no discipline or clue how to lead.
He destroys arms and cant win thw big games ie he is a loser and has no discipline or clue how to lead.
He destroys arms and cant win thw big games ie he is a loser and has no discipline or clue how to lead.
He destroys arms and cant win thw big games ie he is a loser and has no discipline or clue how to lead.
He’s old. He’s devisive. His hire creates more problems than it solves. Pass.
Dusty Dusty Bo Busty, Fee Fy Fo Fusty, Mee My Moe Musty … Dusty!
That’s cool , it’s time for recess though!!
Noooooo!!!!
Yes Wilson’s. Stop being coupon cutters. This is a guy they should have considered. Then get Marte and your set
The Mets are not going to pick Dusty as he will want too much control which Brodie Van Birdbrain will not render to him. It looks like either Hensley Meulens, Luis Rojas or Ed Perez will be the Mets choices for manager. All three of the guys would be decent managers for the Mets so Birdbrain and Moron Wilpon just have to pick one of them.
Van Numbskull will never hire Dusty as Brodie is the ultimate control freak, and Dusty Baker is not going to agree with Numbskull being both the GM and the manager of the team while Dusty is just a figurehead. I highly doubt that Dusty Baker is going to embark on being the fall guy for Brodie VanDummy.’s vast baseball stupidity..
I really can’t see why anyone would be intrigued by him any longer. he could take a team to the playoffs….. maybe. he’s not taking anyone to the world series.
The Mets just need a stopgap for this season. You can’t bring a rookie manager into that mess with spring training only weeks away. Knowing the Mets, they’ll bring in a rookie manager and he’ll be overwhelmed and fail in the end.
What mess? There’ll be residual effects of the scandals in Hou and Bos because of the returning players and staff that were in place during the cheating, but there would only have been a mess had Beltran stayed and created a circus. He’s gone.
You don’t think the Mets are a mess of a franchise?
No
nope
Yea exactly. The Mets aren’t dealing with the fallout from a mess, they simply (and smartly) avoided it. There would have been growing pains with a new manager anyway. Mets will be fine in 2020.
The Mets didn’t cheat that we know of (not an accusation but I believe many more teams did things to get an edge that may have crossed the line) but they have been a maligned franchise for years and it would be crazy for them to think long term right now. Find an interim team that you believe in and reassess again in November. Too little time and candidates to get to do more. Same for Houston and Boston. Even if you use the Mets list from last year, that manager can’t put together his team of coaches. Again, think 2020 only.
Terribly overrated. Bad choice.
Lol.
He took the Giants to the WS when they lost to the Angels in 7 games. I think it was 2002.
Syndegard and DeGrom may as well be proactive and schedule their consults with Dr. Andrews.
Stroman too.
LOL
Don’t they remember what he did to Kerry Wood and Mark Prior?
LOL,only my Mets
Better hire an extra orthopedic surgeon or two
That was my first thought too.
Just prompt Meulins
This seems like the obvious choice. Mets won’t do it. BVW will decide to GM/field manage.
Braves fans support that line of thinking.
thought Beltran was fired not resigned?
Reporters here say it really was a mutual decision and that calling it that wasn’t PR BS.
Resign ‘technically’ because he’s not getting paid, aside from a 200k donation to a charity of his choice.
It doesn’t really matter. I loved Beltran as a player but he has past conducts detrimental to the team and the game itself. I’m sure managers have that clause in their contracts which make it a non-guarantee.
no please, NO !!!!
Gotta be kidding me…
I was thinking that Ozzie Guillen feller would be perfect for New York. He don’t take no shiiite from no one. Except the Florida Cubans screaming about Fidel!
Typical Mets move.
Ozzie guillen will make them an offer they won’t understand.
Ozzie guillen will make them an offer they won’t understand.
Introducing the New York Mets Co-Managers Bobby Valentine, Ozzie Guillen, and Dusty Baker, & Wally Backman, Assistant GM Omar Minaya, Special Performance Coach Doc Gooden, and Clubhouse Manager Rickey Henderson.
What about Straw?
Hard pass. There’s been enough IL issues already.
Dr. Pepper is available.
So is Dr. Jack Daniels.
Both better than Baker.
Being a mets fan, and having to see this guy once a month for a few years… no please no…. I’d rather David Wright or Buck.
C’mon, Metsies. You really want Meullins, who hid in Bochy’s shadow, AND has no experience with the back-pages vultures in NY, AND whose saddled with a dip-stick GM, to get the job? Doesn’t do anything for your team, and does even less for Meullins.
Let Dusty get in there, calm the waters, and bring Muellins along, maybe. Baker’s not much, but he’ll take the slings and arrows; Lord knows he has experience doing that.
Now, it should be Buck, who makes any team better just by himself, not to mention his ability to deal with the inevitable chaos. But Brody’s probably afraid of Buck, who can show him up.
Dusty’s safe.
lol lol lol lol.
Calm the waters??? Safe??? Mark Prior and Kerry Wood say hello.
Poor Clint Hurdle, can’t even get mentioned as a retread.
id take clint over dusty in a heartbeat at least i’ll still have a pitching staff for next season. and not 90% of my staff needing tj or shoulder surgery
Clint Hurdle is an animal with no place in MLB. Having his pitchers intentionally retaliate by throwing a deadly object 90+ MPH at another player should be prosecutable. He and Kirk Gibson belong in the dumpster.
Just total bunk. A completely manufactured reputation.
that’s what happens when you work under Nutting for so long.
Dumb
That would be soooooo Mets.
I’m hoping MLB makes Houston hire him as further punishment.
Classic
So sick of the same old names every time, jeez, why can’t these grandparents just retire in peace with their millions? There’s zero percent chance they could relate with anyone under 30.
@Strike Four
This is baseball. He talks and they listen. You millennial think everyone has to “understand” you. He might be a bad choice but it isn’t because he doesn’t wear skinny jeans, drink pabst beer or have a tiktok account.
Are you intentionally fishing for an “OK Boomer” response?
Pabst is a popular thing now? How did that happen?
Hipsters starting drinking it ironically. Now younger hipsters have no idea how and why they started drinking it.
Same with Miller High Life, but neither is popular anymore. That was more of a mid ‘00s hipster thing, doesn’t apply to today.
Well I can tell you I’ve never heard anyone refer to a “PBR” as a “Pabst Beer”
I certainly have. btw, that makes a difference how?
And your comment was necessary, how? It wasn’t you say?
wow! An unnecessary comment followed up by a complaint of an unnecessary comment! Which leads to a 3rd unnecessary comment by me!
Disagree that old managers can’t relate to people, but this also turned into a “you darned kids” thing for the MLBTR ~mature~ army to rally around so can’t really chalk this up as a W.
Also that really weird twist of irony when the older guy rags on kids being hipsters but namedrops a beer that hasn’t been cool since like 2005 makes this a top tier self-containing meme
I can’t even respond correctly without getting upset. He doesn’t need to coach them in fortnite.
sportspeople retire when they darn want to or the decision is made for them. if they are still getting interviews and interest than its proof that they probably shouldn’t retire.
Get used to Jake Marisnick as the new Mets leadoff hitter.
As a Braves fan, please NYM, hire him!
Just no! literally anyone else is a better candidate
In Dusty we trusty
Is he over 100 years old yet? Dusty isn’t just his name, it’s a description. At least no one will have to worry about him using that complicated newfangled technology to steal signs. Those really old guys generally struggle with the concept of the ”interweb,” much less anything else having to do with computers. When he was your age he had to walk to school. Now get off the lawn, you rapscallions!
Dusty Baker is one of the best minds in the game. He got a raw deal from the Nationals. Hope he gets another chance
Well said & very true. Loved him when he was with the Reds!
Given amazing teams in four cities and never got them anything but pitchers on the DL. Wrecked the Giants time and time again. I swore I’d never forgive him pitching a rookie in the most critical game of the year in 1993, then he pulled a 2002 on me. It’s like giving a 16-year old a Ferrari and watching him grind the gears to death as he drives it down the street.
He did get the Nats to the playoffs both seasons
No. The roster of players did that. Dusty Baker if anything cost them wins.
He’s the straw that stirs the drink : 0
This is insane keyboard diarrhea.
The worst, most polarizing person in the game since Joe Morgan.
Amazing player, tolerable and sometimes entertaining TV broadcaster, terrible baseball analyst.
Good god
If Baker is hired as manager, at least 3 pitchers will blow out their arms before the season is over. Baker is well known for destroying the arms of his pitchers.
Wally Backman’s time has come.
Dusty is a great choice in light of recent developments. He has the ability to bring the team together and rise above this even though the breaking of the rule was with the Astros. Hope Jerry likes him too!
Are you insane? Baker is AWFUL! And who in the hell is Jerry??
Springer? Seinfeld? Maguire?
Springer? Seinfeld? Maguire?
Jones
Why doesn’t anyone consider Mike Scioscia? He should be able to come in and take over without a hitch.
“He should be able to come in and take over without a” Hinch. Fixed it. 🙂
Dusty has been collecting social security longer than most of the Mets players have played in the majors
As a Mets fan, I’d be all in on Dusty Baker as our new manager. Compared to the usual nobodies that they hire, the guy would be a solid choice. Also, Epstein did NOT commit suicide.
Baker is a guy Mets fans don’t deserve. I’m hoping someone who is managing an American Legion team is their choice because hey, he’s a fresh face
Don’t deserve? I hope you don’t mean to imply that he’s something special. He doesn’t seem to understand the first thing about managing a baseball team. Especially a pitching staff.
I was joking, to be truthful. If the Mets are gonna go for it, you’d think they’d want someone who can get everyone on the same page, if nothing else. He and his toothpick tend to annoy me
Okay my apologies… This report had my blood pressure up last night
This will be another Met mistake
How does an experienced and winning manager who desperately wants a coaching job not have a job when there is a historic amount of job openings? Because he’s known for being difficult with upper management, not good with analytics, and he’s ruined a few careers. Other than that, I’m sure he’ll ”calm the waters.”
Dusty Baker is like a grandpa you just can’t say no to. Even though in the end you know whatever he’s doing is going to end badly.
Grandpa you can’t say no to? Can’t say I identify with that analogy
IKR. Darren, was your grandpa Bill Cosby by any chance?
Took the words right off my keyboard
Baker has notably presided over some of the biggest collapses in baseball history.[citation needed] In 1993, his Giants led the National League West by 9.5 games on August 7, but ended up losing the division to the Atlanta Braves and missing the postseason. The Giants lost 12-1 on the final day of the season when a win could have forced a tiebreaking game with Atlanta for the division championship. In 2002, the Giants led the World Series against the Anaheim Angels 3 games to 2. San Francisco had a 5-0 lead in the seventh inning of the sixth game, but allowed the Angels to score six unanswered runs in the seventh and eighth innings to win. The Angels also won Game 7 to win the championship. In 2003, Baker’s Cubs led the National League Championship Series 3 games to 1 against the Florida Marlins. The Marlins stormed back to win the final three games of the series, including overcoming a 3-0 Chicago lead with 8 runs in the eighth inning of Game 6. The loss in that game was blamed in part on poor managing, notably leaving starter Mark Prior in the game when he had already thrown over 100 pitches. In 2012, Baker’s Reds led the National League Division Series 2 games to 0 against the San Francisco Giants. With the final three games of the series at home in Cincinnati, the Reds needed to win just once to advance to the National League Championship Series, but the Giants completed the comeback by winning games 3, 4, and 5 and went on to win the World Series. The Reds also suffered a six-game losing streak to end the 2013 season, including a loss in the Wild Card game at Pittsburgh.
Did you really just plagiarize a Wikipedia article?
Yes he did because he’s clueless!!
I never feel sorry for the Mets, but I feel sorry for them at this moment
You can stuff your sorries in a sack
Where’s Billy Martin when you need him…
If for a year to plan for the next managerial candidate yes for anything longer than that no
WTF!!!! WHY are they not at least looking in to and entertaining Showalter!
I don’t want a no-name. these COUPONS are ridiculous!
Dusty is a no name? He’s may be a bad name, but he’s the opposite of a no name
John Farrell and Bo Porter would be better choices.
Oh God no, please. Is he anti-analytics?
He’s anti-getting on his lawn
Time to dust off the Dugout Dice!
Mets are a very good team on paper coming into this season. They have all the componets to be in the playoffs. Fangraphs has them as the second best team on paper in the NL. I think either Baker or Showalther are good fits for this team. They need a good strong manager who won’t get in their way of winning.
LOL
What paper are you reading?
They’re not even the 2nd best team in the NLE.
Well he very clearly cited his source. But the only problem is that Fangraphs hasn’t released their 2020 projected standings.
This a very exciting team and not afraid to show emotion…Super Joe McEwing is the proper fit
Hire Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez
Was expecting something a little more creative from Brodie then an old throwback manager who destroys pitchers arms.
Buck Showalter is your only hope
Buck Showalter has never won a championship series game, let alone reach a WS.
Look at Baker’s 23-32 postseason record. He’s great at getting teams to the playoffs but hasn’t been able to bring home a trophy. With an underperforming manager in Calloway the Mets barely missed the post season. The team should be better this year, so a trip to the postseason is in theory already in reach. Does Baker put them in a better position to go to and win the WS? Not sure. If he gets the team to the post season does that represent a win for him? The Mets are in a bind but need to look at finding the best candidate to build culture and have successful post season results. Baker is likely not that guy.
I agree. But who is? Seems like Brodie wants control. That’s why he was happy with rookie manager Callaway. Obviously that didn’t work. So he hired rookie manager Beltran. That REALLY didn’t work. So now he’s considering a veteran. But he doesn’t seem to be the right fit. Is Schowalter the guy? I really don’t know
I thought they wanted to win a championship? Baker brought the, “as long as we make the playoffs it’s been a good year” mentality to Cincinnati…our fans don’t have a clue what it’s like to win it all anymore…sad
What, like dating or just friends?
Months ago I thought, Beltran second-worst choice, Baker worst choice. I have to face the fact that I’ll never have Hodges or Davey as manager again.
Dusty Baker chews on a magic toothpick that somehow makes him dumber. But he knows Willie Mays. That worked out for us, right?
There’s no such thing as toothpicks
I’ve never been a fan of Baker and I’ll say it now that the Mets hiring him would be a mistake. I put him in the same boat as Bobby Valentine and Lou Pinella. It’s easy to poke fun at the Mets but this would be cruel. NY media will shred him to pieces. Hire a young manager and a “co-manager” if they must. Or Buck Showalter.
Plot twist: Mets hire Gary Carter.
I will manage any of these teams. Just give me a shot.
At this point in the offseason its slim pickings.
Showalter, Baker, Venable, who else is available?
Mike Scioscia
He first needs to get rid of his toothpick. That’s just so unprofessional-looking.
Dusty rusty. Has Baker ever actually won a ws as a manager?
No he is 0-1 in the World Series as a manager
Won 97 games for the Nats in his last season. When was the last time the bumbling Mets won 97 games?
What? Practicing perspective? On this site? Nonsense man lol
Order the toothpicks! The Mets have there man
Mets are making a mistake if they don’t talk to Dusty…Shocker, I know
I’m curious if Clint Hurdle is available.
Nvm he retired from baseball in November
He’s going to HOU. Can’t imagine they will drag their feet to bring in a guy they want. If Baker wants the gig, it’s his.
I love how people trash Dusty Baker, then bring up Buck Showalter and Clint Hurdle as viable replacements.
Neither has been remotely as successful as Baker.
i usually tend to defer to public perception as a non-expert on magnagers, but i have to agree that at the very least he’s as good as these two.
Yeah, go ahead
Hire Baker
Then Rothschild
… then watch every arm in the rotation get rickety rickety wrecked son!
Racism
Always living in the past!
“Prior and Wood, that’s all I hear about. Where was my pitching coach, Larry Rothschild, in this whole equation? People think I was the pitching coach, the everything coach.”
yeah, this guy has always oozed “calming influence”
The Red Sox should hire either Mike Lowell or Jason Varitek to be their next manager