Mets’ horrific stretch is starting to get to the manager
ATLANTA — Injuries, walk-off losses, second guesses on his bullpen moves. Mickey Callaway has endured a tumultuous week-plus, the likes of which he might not have anticipated could occur when he signed on as Mets manager last offseason.
“I have been in baseball a long time and I don’t think I have ever seen this in my entire career,” the rookie manager said Wednesday at SunTrust Park. “This is a stretch that is rare, it seems, from what I have seen.”
The Mets entered play with seven losses in nine games, knocking them to .500 and erasing the equity they built with a franchise-best 11-1 start this season. But the manner in which the Mets have lost — as much as the defeats themselves — has tested Callaway’s mettle.
Four of the seven losses during the stretch had occurred in the last inning. The most recent was Tuesday, when rookie Gerson Bautista allowed a walk-off homer to the Braves’ Johan Camargo. A day earlier, in the first game of a doubleheader, Seth Lugo surrendered a walk-off blast in the ninth to Charlie Culberson.
And since they last played a game at Citi Field, the Mets have placed AJ Ramos, Wilmer Flores and Noah Syndergaard on the disabled list. Another starting pitcher, Steven Matz, left Tuesday’s game with a sore middle finger, but has avoided the DL.
“I haven’t slept in a week — slept well at least,” Callaway said. “We’re just trying to think of ways to get us out.”
Callaway is leaning heavier than ever on his staff for answers. Asked if he’s sought outside advice — Callaway jokingly wondered if that meant a psychologist — the manager said he’s looked to his coaches. The former Indians pitching coach said his last contact with his mentor, Terry Francona, was “a while” ago.
Among his staff members there is nobody Callaway leans on for advice more than pitching coach Dave Eiland, who says he has been impressed with the composure Callaway has maintained during the turmoil.
“I have been around two other managers, two other world-champion managers,” Eiland said referring to Joe Girardi and Ned Yost, from his tenures with the Yankees and Royals, respectively. “And in this short period of time, Mickey is handling things as good as I saw those other two guys handle it.
“He’s not a manager who stays in his office and if we need something we have to go get him. He’s in the coaches’ room with us more than he’s in his office. From a coaching standpoint we can’t ask for anything more from a manager.”
The mild-mannered Callaway insists he will not change his personality. He vows to continue supporting players, even when they fail, and bringing positivity to the manager’s office. He scoffs at the notion that throwing an occasional tantrum would accomplish anything.
“For us to start being negative and having a bad attitude, throwing things, would not be productive,” Callaway said. “It makes you feel better sometimes, but it’s the worst thing you can possibly do in my opinion. I am sure the fans would like to see people start throwing stuff.
“We’re not happy with what’s going on, but just because we try to approach it the right way doesn’t mean we’re accepting it: We’re pissed. I just don’t think showing that negativity and throwing things and people yelling at each other is going to help us get out of it. What’s going to help us get out of it is pulling for each other, continuing to support each other and continuing to hold guys accountable.”