Since Steve Cohen became the official new owner of the Mets in September 2020, Sandy Alderson has been working for the team in his present position as club president. As soon as a replacement is found, the 74-year-old Alderson will leave his position as general manager, the Mets’ owners Steve and Alexandra Cohen stated on Thursday. Alderson will work until a replacement is found before shifting to a “special adviser” position.
Alderson is essentially entering a semi-retirement while still working for the company, to put it another way. From the Mets’ and Alderson’s perspectives, staying in his position as club president for the foreseeable future was never the idea.
“In a statement, Cohen stated, “When I invited Sandy to return to the team, it was for a specified amount of time and with a clear mandate—revive our culture and this legendary franchise for our fans, partners, and staff. We have started looking for Sandy’s replacement because he has accomplished all of these things and more. I’ve asked Sandy to stay on in a new capacity as a special advisor to the senior leadership team and me once we’ve located this individual.”
The eventual new club president, general manager Billy Eppler, and Cohen would make up the senior leadership group. In the coming months, much conjecture will center on the possibility of hiring a top-tier baseball executive to join Eppler in a formidable front office, though it may also be someone who takes a more passive approach to hiring. Only time will tell.
Alderson has certainly deserved to take a step back, though. In 1981, he began playing baseball for the Oakland Athletics. During his tenure as their general manager (1983–1997), they won four AL West championships, three pennants, and the 1989 World Series. From 1998 to 2005, he was employed with the commissioner’s office. From 2005 to 2009, while he served as the Padres’ CEO, the team’s last two full-season trips to the playoffs were made.
Alderson then signed with the Mets. From 2011 until he took a leave of absence in July 2018 following a cancer diagnosis, he served as general manager. His Mets won the 2015 NL pennant and advanced to the postseason in 2015 and 2016.
Prior to returning to the Mets with Cohen in 2020, Alderson served as a senior adviser with the A’s in 2019.
Alderson stated in a statement that “for me personally and for the organization, it’s the right moment for this move.” “We are enjoying a fantastic season, we have added a number of significant members to our senior leadership team, and we have established a solid, progressive culture. When the moment is right, I’m excited to continue aiding Steve, Alex Cohen, and the group in a new role.
Alderson stated in a statement that “for me personally and for the organization, it’s the right moment for this move.” “We are enjoying a fantastic season, we have added a number of significant members to our senior leadership team, and we have established a solid, progressive culture. I am looking forward to continuing to support Steve, Alex [Cohen], and the company in a new capacity when the time comes.”
The Mets are 89-55 as of Thursday and lead the Braves by a half-game in the NL East. According to their current winning percentage, they are on track to win more games than any other season since 1988, when they went 100–60.
