Mickey Callaway: Former Mets Manager (2018-2019)

Michael Christopher Callaway was born May 13th, 1975, in Memphis, Tennessee. A star basketball & baseball player in Germantown High School at Memphis, Callaway was first drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1993 but did not sign.

He would then attend the University of Mississippi, pitching for the Ole Miss Rebels getting drafted by the Tampa Rays in 1996 as a seventh-round pick.

MLB Career: Callaway made his MLB debut on June 12th, 1999, in a start against the Expos in
Montreal. He earned a win pitching six innings allowing two runs on seven hits with two strike outs. 

In his second start he was removed in the 1st inning after allowing three runs to the Twins in Minnesota. He would see limited time the rest of the year taking two more losses in just three more games pitched, finishing up 1-2 with a 7.25 ERA.

He was traded to the Anaheim Angels prior to their 2002 World Championship season. He became the clubs fifth starter when Aaron Seale went down with injury. He would go 2-1 in six appearances but did not pitch in the post season, although he did receive a World Series ring.

In 2003 he started out with the Angels going 1-3 getting released & picked up by the Texas Rangers. where he went 0-3. After four brief appearances in 2004, his MLB career was over. Overall, he was 4-11 with a 6.27 ERA 86 strike outs & 58 walks over 130 innings in 40 games with 20 starts.

Korea & Independant Ball: Callaway moved on to pitch in South Korea for the Hyundai Unicorns, in the KBP league, where was a two time All Star. He also pitched one year in an Independent League in Laredo, Texas.

MLB Pitching Coach: In 2010 he began his career as a pitching coach, starting out in the Cleveland Indians organization. 

By 2013 he was with the Indians big league club, as the teams pitching coach under new manager Terry Francona. That year the Tribe won 92 games, fourth most in the AL, finishing up in second place with no wild card berth. 

In 2014 the team produced Cy Young winner, Corey Kluber as they won 83 games. In 2015 his Indians were first in strike outs, complete games & second in ERA (3.67) in the AL winning 84 games.

After three seasons of 83 or more wins, the 2016 Indians won 91 games and got to the post season, beating the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS, the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALCS, losing to the Chicago Cubs in seven games in the World Series.

That year the Tribes pitching staff ranked first in strike outs (1398) second in wins, ERA (3.84) runs & earned runs, with all five starters winning in double digits as Kluber led the way with 18 victories.

An incredible 108-win 2017 season had the Indians staff first in wins, ERA (3.30) strike outs (for the fourth straight year), complete games, shut outs, runs, walks, earned runs& curve ball usage.

The staff boasted three pitchers (Kluber, Carlos Carrasco & Trevor Bauer) with 17 wins or more. Unfortunately they were upset early in ALDS.

Callaway has learned under some talented & respected managers including Francona, Mike Scioscia &  Buck Schowalter. His former pitchers rave about his coaching skills and his abilities as a coach, especially relating to the young players.

Mets Manager: In the 2017 off season he was named the twenty first manager in Mets history, replacing Terry Collins. His pitching skills will hopefully help the New York Mets young pitchers who struggled though injuries & issues in 2017. 

But now as manager in the baseball world's largest market, Callaway will wear many hats & have lots on his plate.

Quotes- Mets GM Sandy Alderson: "There seemed to be a real consistency between Mickey’s approach and our approach and what he was looking for in the way of managing, and what we were looking for in the way of a leader in the clubhouse. But more emotionally, I think all of us came out of that meeting excited about the possibility that Mickey would become our manager. That’s a visceral reaction not one that you can put down on a checklist, but to me that said everything."

In his first season as Mets skipper, his club suffered many injuries and played bad. The Mets finished fourth going 77-85. 

In the off season Jim Riggleman was added as Mets bench coach, to help Callaway & possibly replace him, if the team fails again. 

Chili Davis was also brought in as the new hitting coach. New GM Brodie Van Wagen brought in new players like Edwin Diaz, Robinson Cano, Jed Lowrie, & Keon Broxton to help improve the club. 

2019 Season: The Mets began the 2019 season, with Rookie Slugger Pete Alonso in the Opening Day line up. Alonso would be Callaway's best decision as he won the Rookie of the  Year Award & hit a Rookie record 53 HRs becoming the first Met to ever hit 50 HRs.

In the off season the Mets tried to improve their bullpen, but that was their biggest problem. Edwin Diaz was terrible, Jeurys Familia also struggled, as did Zack Wheeler in the starting rotation. 

By June things were so bad, Callaway maintained his job but pitching coach Dave Eiland & bullpen coach Chuck Hernandez were both fired.

By the All Star break the Mets were ten games under .500 & there were no thoughts of post season play. But out of no where things began to turn around & when GM Brodie Van Wagen traded for Marcus Stroman everyone was stunned, as to why?

But at the end of July & into August the club went on two separate seven game win streaks, winning 15 of 16 games putting them right in the wild card hunt. Things were once again exciting at Citi Field.

 But in the end, the Mets fell short of the post season by three games, although they still put in a 86 win season (11th most wins in season franchise history). 

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After the season ended the Mets chose to part ways with Callaway & he was let go.

Quotes- Former GM Brodie Van Wagen: "We want to thank Mickey for his consistent work ethic & dedication over the last two seasons & I'm certain these characteristics will serve him well in his next opportunity. A decision like this is never easy, however we believe it is the best interest of the franchise at this time". 

Some say that Callaway was too distant from the players, locking himself in his office & letting his coaches handle the hands-on duties.

Callaway was soon hired by theL.A. Angels as pitching coach under new manager Joe Maddon.

Drama- Sexual Harassment: In February of 2021, allegations from five different women, accused Callaway of "lewd behavior" over a five-year span. In that time, he was with three different teams. He allegedly sent shirtless photos of himself to women, requested nude photos of women & made other advances. One reported claimed he thrust his crotch near the female reported interviewing him.

The Angels suspended him until after an investigation took place.

By March, Callaway admitted to having extra marital affairs but denied any sexual harassments. Back in 2015, Cleveland Indians, players' wives were concerned about an affair Callaway was having with a woman close to the team. 

When the woman's husband confronted Callaway, an MLB security guard had to get involved & the situation had to be reported.

Quotes- Mickey Callaway: "Any relationship in which I was engaged has been consensual & my conduct was in no way intended to be disrespectful. I am married & my wife has been made aware of these allegations".

Family: Mickey has been married to his second wife Anna (Currie) since 2001. She is a graduate of Auburn University with an accounting degree. She has worked for Pfizer. Together they have two daughters.