David Stearns introduced as president of baseball operations by New York Mets, his hometown team
NEW YORK (AP) — On Monday, David Stearns was formally named the first president of baseball operations in the history of the New York Mets, assuming leadership of the team he grew up supporting.
Following a terribly poor season, owner Steve Cohen introduced the former Milwaukee Brewers manager during a press conference at Citi Field. Though they entered the season with hopes of winning a title and a record $355 million payroll on opening day, New York finished fourth in the NL East and was eliminated from playoff contention by midsummer.
“I have a lot of work ahead of me,” Stearns remarked.
The 38-year-old executive joined a working structure that is somewhat normal in baseball but new to the Mets, ranking below Cohen and above general manager Billy Eppler.
With the firing of Buck Showalter on Sunday, Stearns will take the lead in the team’s search for a new manager. Additionally, Stearns stated that he believes Pete Alonso will start at first base for New York on opening day of the following season. The all-star slugger has been the focus of trade rumors due to his eligibility for free agency after the 2024 campaign.
Since purchasing the team in November 2020, Cohen had been looking for a president of baseball operations to supervise the entire division. Stearns was among the many desirable candidates who fell out of favor over the course of the three-year process, which Cohen referred to as “sort of dog years.”
“I’m really excited by this,” Cohen said. “You know, I’ve been really patient looking for the right person. As David and I got to know each other, I mean, it’s clear that we’re aligned in our thinking. We get along very well.”
A former Mets intern, Stearns grew up in New York City and recalled sneaking into games at Shea Stadium as a kid during the late 1990s.
He claimed that as rumors about him winning the job grew over time, he and his wife had to calm his overexcited mother Susan before they could finally phone her a few weeks ago to inform her that “this was really happening.”
“I find it significant and cool that our children will now grow up to be Mets supporters. that we are allowed to discuss. that they get to experience a small portion of what I experienced when we travel this road together,” Harvard graduate Stearns remarked. “Every summer, I grew up listening to Ed Coleman, Bob Murphy, and Gary Cohen.” Like every other Mets fan, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of disappointment and optimism.
“To be here at this moment feels like a great privilege and deal of luck. I know that doesn’t happen, am I correct? You don’t become a lifelong supporter of a team and then get to stand here at a press conference discussing about being the team’s manager,” he continued. “I realize how amazing it is that it happened to me,” the speaker said.
From September 2015 through the 2022 season, Stearns led Milwaukee’s baseball operations department with great success. After that, he stepped down and took on an advising position. His contract with the Brewers expired on Sunday, and he agreed to sign with the Mets last month.
In 2018, Milwaukee came within one victory of winning the World Series, and during the following three seasons, they made it back to the postseason. In addition to this year, the Brewers also won NL Central crowns in 2018 and 2021.
