It’s one thing when a sports team’s head coach or manager speaks to the press. It’s their job essentially because they do it every day during a season. Especially in baseball where they speak to the media before and after a game. That’s 162 times a baseball manager has to do that and even more if their team makes the playoffs. However, the atmosphere is a whole lot different when a team’s owner decides to speak. When an owner talks, many listen because you have no idea what is going to be said. A lot of times an owner is only speaking because simply put, he’s not happy. That was the case for New York Mets owner Steve Cohen.
Highlights From Steve Cohen’s Press Conference
This past Tuesday, Steve Cohen announced he will be having a press conference the following day. The Mets are floundering as they approach July and are close to wrapping up a poor June. Cohen felt the time was now for fans to hear from him. While some wanted him to announce firings, and changes, and prove to be a guy who will do things with a Thanos snap of his finger, that wasn’t in the cards. That’s a good thing because the best owners in sports have plenty of input, yes, but for the most part, they let their baseball people do the work. The Dallas Cowboys have been a sports symbol of mediocrity since the turn of the century because of owner Jerry Jones meddling in things. Cohen didn’t fire anybody as expected, but the presser was certainly noteworthy. Here is some of what he said before the Mets 5-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.
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Steve Cohen Takes Accountability
With the Mets season being one of the most disappointing in team history, everybody is pointing the finger. Fans and media have even debated whether manager Buck Showalter has taken enough accountability. Many players have taken accountability, such as Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, and Brett Baty. Steve Cohen even joined in and blamed himself for the struggles on the field.
"I'll take responsibility. I'm the owner."
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 28, 2023
Steve Cohen is asked who should bear responsibility for the Mets' struggles this season: pic.twitter.com/enm9GtcjXM
Cohen understands. He helped build this Mets team, and they are simply not performing. He’s also right about player performances. Too many of them are not playing up to expectations and nobody knows why. As he said, they need to figure it out because time is running out for this Mets ball club.
Buck Showalter and Billy Eppler Are Safe
As mentioned before, anybody expecting Steve Cohen to fire Showalter or general manager Billy Eppler at this presser had the wrong idea. Cohen is not one to make a rash decision like that and go scorched earth just to please Mets fans. Cohen reassured that, at least for the rest of the season, Showalter and Eppler will remain at their positions.
Steve Cohen says Buck Showalter and Billy Eppler's jobs are safe for the remainder of the season pic.twitter.com/RAIL8mMH6P
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 28, 2023
Eppler was heavily criticized after his trade deadline last year, but Cohen wasn’t going to fire him just before another deadline. Especially with the Mets leaning toward being sellers. As for Showalter, it’s difficult to fire a seasoned manager who just won Manager of the Year. However, Cohen did elaborate on a front office need the Mets will be in the market for.
Steve Cohen Wants a President of Baseball Operations
It’s no secret the Mets have been looking for a president of baseball operations for some time now, even before they hired Eppler. Steve Cohen was asked about it at the presser.
"I've been clear from day one that I'm still looking for a president of baseball ops. Billy knows, I've had that conversation with him – he's supportive."
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 28, 2023
– Steve Cohen pic.twitter.com/Kwj8q9HUQV
Names like Brewers executive David Stearns have been heavily linked to the Mets. Steve Cohen said that Eppler understands and has been supportive. Cohen mentioned that the Mets general manager job is a lot on Eppler, which it is, but is two people making decisions for Cohen’s ballclub too many? If the Mets bring in Stearns or any other candidate as president of baseball operations, then Cohen has a decision to make about his current general manager. You don’t want too many cooks in the kitchen.
Photo Credit: © Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned:
Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Brett Baty
