Was Buck Showalter Fired? Why was Buck Showalter Fired?
by Rubaditsha
Updated Oct 11, 2023
Was Buck Showalter Fired?
Buck Showalter was indeed fired as the manager of the New York Mets. This decision came after a disappointing season in which the Mets, despite having the highest payroll in baseball, fell out of contention by midsummer. Showalter had previously announced that he would not return for the next season, and shortly afterward, the Mets confirmed the change.
The team's owner, Steve Cohen, emphasized that it wasn't a reflection of Showalter's performance but rather a move to align the organization with the new leadership under David Stearns, who was appointed as the president of baseball operations. This change means that Stearns will have the authority to select the next manager.
Despite Showalter's successful first season with the Mets in 2022, this season did not go as planned, leading to his departure. Showalter's dismissal marks the fifth time in six years that the Mets are in search of a new manager, indicating a period of managerial instability for the team.
Why was Buck Showalter Fired?
Buck Showalter was fired as the manager of the New York Mets primarily due to the team's disappointing performance in the 2023 season. Despite having the highest payroll in Major League Baseball, the Mets underperformed, falling out of contention by midseason and ultimately finishing with a subpar record.
Mets owner Steve Cohen emphasized that the decision to part ways with Showalter was not a reflection of his abilities as a manager. Instead, it was driven by the team's desire to move in a new direction under the leadership of their new president of baseball operations, David Stearns. Stearns, who was set to take charge of the team's baseball operations, would have the authority to choose the next manager.
While Showalter had enjoyed success in his first season with the Mets, including winning NL Manager of the Year, the disappointing 2023 season played a significant role in his dismissal.
Buck Showalter Mets Contract
Buck Showalter had signed a three-year contract with the New York Mets before the 2022 season. This contract was worth $11.25 million over the three years. However, the Mets made the decision to part ways with Showalter after just two seasons, as announced following the disappointing 2023 campaign. This means that Showalter had one year remaining on his contract at the time of his departure.
Despite Showalter's initial success with the Mets, including a 101-win season and winning the NL Manager of the Year award in his first year, the team's struggles in the 2023 season led to the change in management. This decision, made in the context of a new direction under the leadership of David Stearns, the Mets' new president of baseball operations, resulted in Showalter's contract not being extended beyond its current term.
Showalter's departure marks the end of his tenure as the Mets' manager and opens the door for the team to search for a new skipper.
Who is Buck Showalter?
William Nathaniel "Buck" Showalter III, is a highly regarded American professional baseball manager with an extensive and successful career. Showalter has managed several Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, including the New York Yankees (1992–1995), Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–2000), Texas Rangers (2003–2006), Baltimore Orioles (2010–2018), and New York Mets (2022–2023).
Throughout his managerial career, Showalter has gained a reputation for turning struggling teams into playoff contenders in relatively short timeframes. For example, he played a pivotal role in the Yankees' transformation from an underperforming team to first place in the AL East before the 1994 players' strike halted the season.
Similarly, he led the Diamondbacks to their first-ever playoff appearance in only their second season. Despite these achievements, Showalter has never had the opportunity to manage a team in a World Series, an ironic fact considering he left both the Yankees and Diamondbacks just before their championship-winning seasons.
Name
Buck Showalter
Profession
American baseball manager
Date of Birth
May 23, 1956
Age
67 years
Height
1.75 m
Net Worth
$14 Million
Buck Showalter Yankees
In 1990, Buck Showalter's journey with the New York Yankees began when he joined their coaching staff. His managerial career with the Yankees commenced in the 1992 season when he succeeded Stump Merrill. During his four-year tenure as the Yankees' manager, Showalter led the team to a record of 313 wins and 268 losses.
Notably, in the strike-shortened 1994 season, the Yankees finished in first place, earning Showalter recognition as the American League Manager of the Year by the Associated Press. He also had the honor of managing the American League team in the 1995 All-Star Game.
Under Showalter's guidance, the Yankees secured the AL wild card in 1995, marking their return to the playoffs for the first time since 1981. However, their postseason journey ended with a loss to the Seattle Mariners in the Division Series. After the season, owner George Steinbrenner offered Showalter a new two-year contract but demanded that Showalter dismiss hitting coach Rick Down, a request Showalter refused.
As a result, on October 26, 1995, it was announced that Showalter and the Yankees had parted ways, with some sources indicating he was fired while others suggest he resigned. This parting came "under amicable terms." The following year, the Yankees won the World Series, a success that Showalter, though proud of the team, couldn't fully enjoy, expressing empathy for the fans who had endured the 1994 strike.
Showalter also made a cameo appearance as himself in the popular television show "Seinfeld" in a 1994 episode alongside player Danny Tartabull.
Buck Showalter Stats
Summary
G
W
L
T
Win-Loss %
2023
162
75
87
0
.463
Career
3393
1727
1665
1
.509
Buck Showalter Orioles
Buck Showalter's managerial career took a notable turn after he served as a senior advisor to baseball operations for the Cleveland Indians in December 2006. Subsequently, he returned to ESPN as an analyst. However, Showalter's managerial prowess came to the fore again when he was appointed as the manager of the Baltimore Orioles on July 29, 2010, succeeding Juan Samuel. Showalter chose to wear uniform number 26 as a tribute to Johnny Oates.
Taking the reins of a struggling Orioles team with a 32-73 record, Showalter made an immediate impact. In his managerial debut on August 3, 2010, the Orioles recorded a 6-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels, sparking a three-game sweep. Showalter's leadership helped the Orioles achieve a winning record, with 34 victories in 57 games played under his guidance by the end of the 2010 season.
Showalter's tenure with the Orioles continued to be successful. In 2012, he reached a milestone by managing his 1,000th major-league victory. The Orioles ended a 14-year streak of losing seasons under his guidance. The team also reached the postseason for the first time since 1997 in 2012, although they were defeated by the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series. Showalter's achievements earned him the AL Manager of the Year award from The Sporting News.
In 2014, Showalter led the Orioles to the AL East title and their first ALDS title in his career. However, they were swept by the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS. Showalter secured his third AL Manager of the Year award in 2014. His tenure with the Orioles continued through the 2018 season, but after a disappointing season with a franchise-worst 115 losses, both his and the general manager's contracts were not renewed.
Was Buck Showalter Fired:FAQs
Before joining the Baltimore Orioles, Buck Showalter managed several teams, including the New York Yankees (1992–1995), Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–2000), and Texas Rangers (2003–2006).
When Buck Showalter became the manager of the Baltimore Orioles in July 2010, the team had a dismal record of 32-73, the worst in the majors at that time.
In his debut season as Orioles manager in 2010, Showalter made an immediate impact, leading the team to win 34 out of 57 games played under his leadership. This marked a significant improvement for the team.
Buck Showalter reached his 1,000th major-league managerial victory on May 1, 2012, while managing the Baltimore Orioles. They won 7-1 against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
Buck Showalter won the AL Manager of the Year award three times during his tenure with the Orioles. He received this honor in 2012, 2014, and 2014.
After the 2018 season, Buck Showalter's and the general manager's contracts with the Orioles ran out, and the team announced that they would not be brought back. This decision came after the Orioles finished the season with a franchise-worst 115 losses.