David Stearns, President of Baseball Operations for the New York Mets, is speaking to the media during a press conference before the baseball game at Citi Field in Corona, N.Y., on August 16, 2024. (Photo by Gordon Donovan/NurPhoto)NO USE FRANCE
Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns Achieves First-Year Promise
Drenched in champagne in the middle of the Atlanta Braves’ visiting locker room, the gravity of the moment was not lost on New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who, in his first year with the club, built a roster that found its way into the postseason.
Achieving the Goal
“I’m just so happy for everyone here, and I’m happy for Mets fans,” Stearns said. “We’re a franchise that hasn’t had enough of these moments; we need to have more of these moments, and this is a really important step in that direction.”
A Long History of Elusive Postseason Berths
The postseason has always been a fleeting concept for the Mets. This was just their 11th postseason berth in 63 years of baseball. It is also just the fourth time in franchise history that they made the playoffs twice in a three-year span (1986 and 1988, 1999-2000, 2015-2016).
The Road to the Playoffs
Yet New York’s exhilarating win over the Atlanta Braves on Monday to clinch a spot in the Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers already fulfilled one promise made at his introductory press conference just 364 days ago.
“I think we should be in the playoff race and a true playoff contender,” Stearns said at his introductory press conference on Oct. 2, 2024. “That should be our goal… Our goal is to begin that now.
The Key Players
He took on reclamation projects in starting pitchers Luis Severino and Sean Manaea — both of whom developed into aces down the stretch to clinch the Mets’ spot in October. Tyrone Taylor, brought on as a utility outfielder, provided brilliant depth and came up with some of the most important plays of the season. None more obvious than his 11-pitch double to lead off the top of the eighth inning off Spencer Schwellenbach to spark New York’s six-run frame on Monday.
Jose Iglesias might very well go down as the greatest minor-league signing in franchise history. The veteran utility infielder did not get the call to the majors until May 31 but was one of the Mets’ most productive, vital players. He batted.337 in 85 games with an.830 OPS, ending the season with a 22-game hitting streak.
Manager Carlos Mendoza
Above all, though, he hired Carlos Mendoza to lead this team. The rookie manager not only navigated his team to the playoffs, but he should finish toward the very top of NL Manager of the Year voting.
Owner Steve Cohen’s Praise
Owner Steve Cohen could not have asked for much more of Stearns in his first year with the club. Stressing long-term sustainability, the Mets have a contender with a bevy of young prospects inching toward a jump to the pros and Cohen’s checkbook if the brain trust sees fit.
Conclusion
David Stearns has had a remarkable first year with the New York Mets, achieving his promise of putting together a competitive team that made the playoffs. He has assembled a talented roster with a mix of established players and young prospects, and has hired a promising manager in Carlos Mendoza. As the team looks to make a deep postseason run, Stearns will be tasked with building on this success and continuing to improve the team for years to come.
FAQs
Q: How many postseason berths have the Mets had in their 63-year history?
A: The Mets have had 11 postseason berths in their 63-year history.
Q: What was the Mets’ previous postseason streak?
A: The Mets made the playoffs twice in a three-year span in 1986 and 1988, 1999-2000, and 2015-2016.
Q: Who are some of the key players that helped the Mets make the playoffs?
A: Some of the key players that helped the Mets make the playoffs include Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, Tyrone Taylor, and Jose Iglesias.
Q: Who is the Mets’ rookie manager?
A: The Mets’ rookie manager is Carlos Mendoza.
