Andy Green is staying in the Mets’ dugout for the long haul.
One franchise legend is pretty “thrilled” with the decision.
The Mets announced Tuesday that Green, who had the interim manager tag on after replacing Carlos Mendoza midseason, would be returning as the full-time skipper with a three-year contract.
Green’s promotion excited Keith Hernandez, who believes the manager has the right stuff to help out the Mets’ young core headlined by the likes of Nolan McLean, Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing.
Green, who was the franchise’s vice president of player development before heading to the bench, was expected to return to a front office role after the season and have the opportunity to spend time with his family. But with his wife and daughters blessing, Green took the full-time Mets gig.
Hernandez believes that Green, who previously managed the Padres (2016-19) and had a 274-366 record, has the right assets to be a successful big league manager. Green, entering Tuesday, had a 37-38 mark with the Mets.
“Well, you know, baseball’s in his blood. It’s hard to get it out, and he has a love of the game,” Hernandez said. “He managed four years in San Diego, not a very good ball club. This is a second chance — second opportunity for him, not chance — with a young team that he’s very familiar with.
“Reminds me of Davey Johnson when he was managing down in Tidewater with that young ’80s bunch. It’s very important when you have young players that you have a manager that knows their abilities. And Gary [Cohen], I loved the fact that he pushed these players, pitchers as well as the everyday players. And I just think he’s the right guy for the job, and I’m absolutely thrilled.”
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Tuesday during a press conference that Green is uniquely qualified to be the next leader of this Mets group.
“Andy brings an ability to connect to the organization in ways that very few people could,” Stearns said. “He allows us to connect front office to dugout. He allows us to connect minor leagues to major leagues and he provides us a level of continuity that we need right now and a level of stability and belief for our entire organization.”
The next step once the season ends will likely be behind the scenes.
Owner Steve Cohen said during an interview with SNY during Saturday’s Mets-Phillies game that the team planned to “add certain voices into the front office.”
