Following one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, the New York Mets let go of 2022 National League Manager of the Year Buck Showalter and are now looking for their 24th manager in franchise history.
One of the prime candidates for the opening is Craig Counsell.
With the recent hiring of David Stearns to be the Mets’ president of baseball operations, it only makes sense that the 38-year-old brings along the only manager he’s ever known with him to Flushing.
Could Craig Counsell be the next manager?
Counsell is in the final year of his contract as the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers and has had quite a successful tenure in Cream City.
Counsell has been the manager of the Brew Crew since 2015, leading the blue and yellow to five playoff appearances, including one this year, and finishing top five in the National League Manager of the Year race four times.
The 53-year-old’s track record and familiarity with Stearns make him the perfect candidate to manage the blue and orange.
Now, it has been confirmed that the interest is mutual.
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Counsell has a serious interest in managing the Mets
According to John Heyman and Mike Puma of the New York Post, while the Milwaukee Brewers are still in the bidding to retain Counsell’s services and have made an offer, the 53-year-old is said to be “serious” about his interest in the Mets, according to those who are close to the situation.
In addition, multiple people mentioned to the Post that Counsell, alongside his wife Michelle, are fans of New York.
The family factor
While Counsell and his wife may like New York, committing to moving to the Big Apple is a much harder decision.
The 53-year-old has roots in Milwaukee. His two daughters are still attending high school in Whitefish Bay, and his sons play college baseball at the nearby University of Minnesota and the University of Michigan.
Whether Counsell becomes the next manager of the Mets or not, hopefully, for the Flushing faithful, manager number 24 will be the one that finally leads the Mets back to championship glory.
