The Mets’ managerial search will include a link to the team’s 2015 National League championship.
Bob Geren, a former bench coach in Queens under manager Terry Collins who has spent the last six seasons as Dave Roberts’ top lieutenant with the Dodgers, will interview for the Mets’ managerial opening this week, an industry source confirmed Tuesday. SNY first reported the Mets’ interest in Geren.
The 60-year-old Geren has previous major league managing experience with Oakland — he was manager from 2007-11. He became Mets bench coach the following year. After the 2015 season, which ended with the Mets losing to the Royals in the World Series, Geren was a finalist for Dodgers’ managerial opening (which went to Roberts) before accepting an offer from the club to become bench coach. Geren cited the opportunity to return to his Southern California roots for his departure from the Mets.
With the Dodgers he’s been part of three pennant winners and a World Series championship in 2020.
The Mets’ list of candidates also includes Buck Showalter, Brad Ausmus, Joe Espada, Matt Quatraro and Don Kelly. Mets general manager Billy Eppler began interviewing candidates Monday. Team owner Steve Cohen is expected to meet with the finalists.
Geren, a former catcher, played for the Yankees and Padres during a major league career that spanned from 1988-93. After his playing career, he managed in the minor leagues for the Red Sox and Athletics before joining the major league coaching staff and ascending to manager before the 2007 season. During his tenure the Athletics finished as high as second place, in 2010. But he was fired midway through the following season with the team struggling. His overall record with the Athletics was 334-376.
It was Mets president Sandy Alderson (then the team’s GM) who hired Geren as the bench coach under Collins to bring a more analytical approach to the dugout. Geren’s duties with the Mets also included working with catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who had been acquired with Noah Syndergaard in a trade with the Blue Jays for R.A. Dickey.