Buck Showalter Would Listen if Mets Called

Buck Showalter hasn’t managed a baseball game since 2018. Nevertheless, the 65-year-old former manager isn’t retired from the game yet.

In an interview with The Athletic’s Brittany Ghiroli, Showalter admitted he’d listen if the Mets called.

“I don’t talk about jobs that aren’t currently open, so the ones that are, it’s always an honor just to be mentioned,” Showalter said. “They got a lot of good, qualified people to pick from. I don’t know (if I will be asked to interview). That’s not my decision, but I’d listen if they (the Padres or Mets) called. Like I said, it’s an honor just to be mentioned.”

Of course, Showalter wouldn’t be the oldest manager in MLB. Tony La Russa is 77 years old, Dusty Baker is 72, Joe Maddon is 67. Showalter interviewed in Houston and Anaheim before they hired Baker and Maddon.

If the Mets are looking for experience in the dugout there are few, if any, candidates with Showalter’s resume. He’s managed 3,069 games and won manager of the year three times.

The current gap in his resume isn’t a concern. He went three seasons between managing with the Yankees and Diamondbacks, three seasons between the D-Backs and Rangers, and four seasons between managing the Rangers and Orioles.

“Yeah. I miss a lot of it, actually,” Showalter told The Athletic. “Well, certain aspects. You miss being part of a team. A group of all different departments, pulling on one rope. That’s always fun to be a part of.”