New York Mets set to name Sandy Alderson manager
Reports indicate that the New York Mets are ready to name Sandy Alderson the club’s next manager. The Mets are expected to introduce Alderson in a press conference on Friday 29 October.
Alderson was the leading candidate throughout the Mets search for a new skipper. Mets owner Fred Wilpon has a close relationship with Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, who speaks highly of Alderson.
Alderson has had a highly successful Major League career, leading the Oakland Athletics to three straight World Series appearances, winning the title in 1989. Alderson served as the club’s manager until 1997 when he would leave to join the League, focusing
on umpiring and trying to build the MLB brand internationally. Alderson also served as the chief executive officer of the San Diego Padres until 2009 when he resigned after a new ownership group took over.
Alderson graduated from Dartmouth College in 1969 and completed his law degree at Harvard Law School in 1976, before continuing on to serve four years with the United States Marines.
The Mets were reported to have also been interested in Boston Red Sox assistant general manager Allard Baird, Chicago White Sox special assistant Rick Hahn, Los Angeles Dodgers assistant GM Logan White and Toronto Blue Jays special assistant Dana Brown.
Alderson’s background is unique, as he brings a law degree and experience in the Marines to the table.
“As a lawyer, through law school, you’re trained to be analytical, unbiased, more objective,” Alderson stated in a 2008 interview. “I think that was helpful. And having a legal background, too, you have an understanding of what the contractual issues are
and so forth. I think it boils down to just being probably a little more analytical.”
Alderson will be charged with the tough task of turning around a Mets organization which has struggled the past two seasons. In 2010 the Mets went 79-83, finishing 18 games back of National League East division champion Philadelphia Phillies.
Tags: