New York Mets skipper Mickey Callaway regrets pulling Noah Syndergaard on Tuesday night in his team’s loss to the Giants.
In New York City, second-guessing a coach is what writers and fans do. In many respects, it’s the most frustrating aspect of baseball.
When the coach begins to second-guess himself to both his team and the media, as New York Mets skipper did following Tuesday night’s 9-3 loss to San Francisco, things will only get worse.
"Looking back on it, I'd like to have that one back" – Mickey Callaway on his decision to take out Noah Syndergaard in the 7th pic.twitter.com/dIjE81fTk7
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 5, 2019
“Looking back on it, I’d like to have that one back,” Callaway admitted after the terrible defeat.
The horrible decision happened during, perhaps, the most crucial inning of the game. With two outs in the seventh, a runner on first and Syndergaard at 103 pitches, the Mets manager didn’t hesitate.
Callaway walked straight to the home plate umpire to make a double-switch. The fact that the sophomore big-league skipper went straight to the umpire without talking to Syndergaard first is a problem in itself.
Thor only needed to get one more out in the inning, but again, Callaway didn’t show any faith in his starter.
The result was disastrous; Seth Lugo came into the game to immediately allow a single to Eva Longoria, sending the runner on first (Mike Yastrzemski) to third. An RBI double by Brandon Belt tied the game at three. The wheels didn’t just fall off the cart after that, it exploded.
It’s hard enough to manage a team in New York City with the constant Monday morning quarterbacking and media questioning your every move.
When the manager begins to question himself publicly, it may be time to move on and find a manager with confidence in these crucial situations.
