As the team’s play-by-play voice Gary Cohen put it, the New York Mets are finding new ways to lose every day.
With Thursday’s latest clunker, the Mets have now lost three straight games in which they had at least a 3-run lead for the first time in franchise history. They did so against an Atlanta Braves team that has now won 11 of their past 13 games against them, including seven straight at Truist Park, which has become a house of horrors for New York, much like Turner Field was in the ‘90s.
The Mets have now lost six straight games for the first time since 2019 and are three games under .500. Their season is certainly not over, but if there isn’t a sense of urgency to get this turned around soon, this could get ugly—and quick.
And perhaps if that’s the case, manager Buck Showalter doesn’t seem long for New York. Yes, he’s coming off a season in which he won the National League Manager of the Year, but when a team that has the highest payroll in baseball is severely underperforming, someone is going to eventually have to pay the price.
In his postgame press conference following Thursday’s 13-10 extra-inning loss, Showalter sounded like a man defeated.
“I think tonight’s game was an indication of that. And the second game. And the first game here. “Showalter said in response to a question from SNY’s Steve Gelbs, who asked about the challenge of keeping the right mindset in the clubhouse with losses piling up. “Guys came in here and competed as good as you want to see. Scored 10 runs (Thursday) night against one of the best pitchers (Spencer Strider) in the league and I’m real proud of them.
“There’s a lot of opportunities there to fold the tent, these guys aren’t gonna do that…I’m proud of them. I look at that as positive, other than we just couldn’t get outs. Used every arrow we had…We scored 10 runs, I was proud of that. The guys kept punching back and that’s a positive.”
Yikes.
Showalter said he was proud of his reeling team three times during a one-minute answer. And as you’d expect, the reactions from those in the world of Major League Baseball were none too kind.
Again, this morning, people are saying “it’s out of Buck Showalter’s hands.”
OKAY, SO LET’S REMOVE THE ROLE OF MANAGER FROM BASEBALL THEN… WHY DO THEY KEEP MAKING THE MANAGER’S JOB IRRELEVANT?? https://t.co/lHCdXHLW5X
— John Frascella (Football) (@LegendSports7) June 9, 2023
If you want a comment to turn the fanbase against you, this is the one. https://t.co/6BzujVPc6L
— Rich CouTTTinho (@TeamThirstTrap) June 9, 2023
You do not have to hand it to themhttps://t.co/TRTIFQ3I3z
— D.J. Short (@djshort) June 9, 2023
As stated above, the Mets season is far from over.
They have just under 100 games remaining to turn this thing around. At the same time, when your manager is making comments like these, it doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in a fanbase that is already beyond frustrated with the results. Time will tell, but if the Mets aren’t able to right the ship during a three-game series in Pittsburgh, Showalter’s “proud” remarks will serve as a precursor for what could be his eventual firing.
[SNY on Twitter; photo from Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports]