Fan Shot by Sivert Glarum
While no one has ever accused Flushing of being “the cradle of coaches” (or more precisely the “manger of managers”) several players who have donned the blue and orange have gone on to successful careers in the skipper ranks. Here’s a look at the top nine …
But first…
DISHONORABLE MENTIONS:
Wally Backman & Carlos Beltran
Both were fan favorites as players, but have a combined managerial record of 0–0. In November, 2004, Backman was fired by the Arizona Diamondbacks only four days after hiring him when reports of domestic abuse surfaced. Likewise, Beltran, hired last November, got the axe when his role in the 2017 Astros cheating scandal came to light.
ON THE BENCH:
Tim Bogar, Larry Bowa, Mike Cubbage, Bud Harrelson, Clint Hurdle, Ray Knight, Lee Mazzilli, Roy McMillan, Willie Randolph, Robin Ventura.
#9 Ron Gardenhire (1,179–1,251)
A victim of terrible timing, the scrappy infielder endured the horrible early ’80s, only to leave the team at the end of the 1985 season. In 1991, he landed a coaching gig for Tom Kelly’s Twins, taking over in 2002. Gardy managed Minnesota for 12 years, winning AL Manager of the Year honors in 2010. He currently helms the Detroit Tigers.
#8 Bobby Valentine (1,186–1,165)
Traded from the Padres for Dave Kingman as part of the infamous “midnight massacre” that also saw Tom Seaver go to the Reds, Bobby V’s tenure as a player was unremarkable. But as a manager, he was a Flushing Favorite. After a seven year stint piloting the Texas Rangers, Valentine brought his infectious energy (and fake mustache) to Shea. He took the Mets to the Subway Series in 2000, losing to another former Met who appears later on this list.
#7 Yogi Berra (493–450)
Interestingly enough, Berra managed the Yankees before he played for the Mets. Fired after the Bombers lost to Bob Gibson’s Cardinals in the 1964 World Series, Yogi joined the Mets coaching staff the following year, and played in four games as well. In 1973, he took the “Ya Gotta Believe” squad to the Fall Classic, losing to the Oakland A’s in seven games. Berra’s the only manager ever to take both the Yankees and the Mets to series.
#6 Roger Craig (738–737)
The very first pitcher in Mets’ history, Craig was also their very first losing pitcher, dropping their inaugural match to St. Louis, 11–4. Roger went on to lose 20 games in each of his two seasons with the club. He had much more luck as a manager with the Padres and the Giants. The former hurler took the Giants to the famous 1989 Earthquake Series against A’s, where they were swept in four games.
#5 Don Zimmer (885–858)
The very first third baseman in team history only lasted 14 games with the Amazins, hitting a very 1962-like .077. Like Craig, Zim found more success as a manager, running the Padres, Rangers, Red Sox and Cubs. In 1977, he was at the helm for the BoSox late season collapse to the dreaded team from the Bronx. The Gerbil had better luck with the Cubs in 1989, winning NL Manager of the Year Honors. He is in the Red Sox Hall of Fame, and had his number retired by the Tampa Bay Rays.
#4 Dallas Green (454–478)
Green had an unremarkable playing career, which meant he fit right in with the 1966 Mets. He gave up three runs in five innings, before disappearing entirely. However, fourteen years later, Green would become a baseball immortal when he’d lead the Phillies to their first World Series title in their 98 year existence. Known for his intensity, the skipper had a less than successful stint at the helm of the “firecracker n’ bleach” era Mets, logging only a .487 winning percentage.
# 3 Bruce Bochy (2,003–2,029)
Now we’re climbing into rarified air. While a .497 winning percentage doesn’t seem like Hall of Fame stuff, three World Series titles certainly are. Bochy had a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tenure with the Mets in 1982, but logged 25 seasons managing the Padres and the Giants. In addition to all the hardware he acquired at the Bay, Bochy also lead the Padres to the World Series in 1998. Oddly, he won Manager of the Year only one time, with the Friars.
#2 Joe Torre (2,326–1,997)
Six Pennants. Four World Series titles. And it all wouldn’t have happened if the evil M. Donald Grant hadn’t made Torre player-manager in 1977. Torre cut his managerial teeth at Shea during the darkest days of the club’s existence. After stops in Atlanta and St. Louis, Torre landed the job that would take him to Cooperstown in 1996. Not bad for a guy who garnered the Daily News headline “CLUELESS JOE” when he was hired.
#1 Gil Hodges (650–753)
A sentimental pick for sure, but Met fans would have it no other way. One of three original Mets on this list, Hodges managed the Washington Senators from 1963–1967 before returning to the Big Apple and making the miracle of ’69 happen. With his quiet humility, easy going manner and genius for platooning, Hodges was the right man at the right time to take baseball’s most celebrated terrible team and transform them into the first expansion team ever become World Champs. Had it not been for his death in 1972, who knows what the team could have achieved.
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This Fan Shot was contributed by diehard Mets fan Sivert Glarum. who you can follow at @TheSilvert on Twitter. Silvert is a writer and producer for such shows as King of the Hill and Tacoma FD.
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