Mets Passed on Two-Time Manager of the Year Despite GM's Recommendation

The New York Mets had a chance to hire one of baseball's most successful managers seven years ago.

They passed.

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy, now a two-time National League Manager of the Year, was the preferred choice of former Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen following the 2019 season.

But the Mets went in another direction, choosing Carlos Beltrán.

According to a New York Post report Friday, Van Wagenen confirmed that he recommended Murphy over fellow finalists Beltrán and Eduardo Pérez.

"1,000 percent, he was my recommendation," Van Wagenen told the newspaper.

Murphy, then Milwaukee's bench coach, went through three rounds of interviews with the Mets, including a mock press conference.

He also recalled an unusual detail about the process: The Mets flew him to New York in a middle seat in coach for all three interviews.

Despite that experience, Murphy said he badly wanted the job.

The Mets instead hired Beltrán on Nov. 1, 2019.

That decision quickly unraveled.

Beltrán resigned Jan. 16, 2020, before managing a single game after being implicated in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal.

Murphy remained interested when the position reopened, but New York promoted Luis Rojas, who already knew many of the organization's players.

Murphy stayed in Milwaukee as Craig Counsell's bench coach until Counsell departed for the Chicago Cubs following the 2023 season.

Since taking over, Murphy has won consecutive NL Manager of the Year awards and guided the Brewers to baseball's best regular-season record in consecutive seasons.

Milwaukee is now making its first World Series appearance since 1982. The Brewers opened the series Friday night with a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

His success has come with a demanding managerial style that emphasizes effort, accountability and attention to detail.

Murphy isn't afraid to criticize players publicly or remove them from games when he believes they haven't met those standards.

That approach was evident in August when he benched rookie Cooper Pratt during a game against the Mets over concerns about his effort and focus.

Murphy's players have defended his methods, saying everyone understands what's expected.

Meanwhile, the Mets have continued searching for answers following a disappointing 2026 season that resulted in Carlos Mendoza's dismissal and Andy Green taking over.

New York is also reworking its coaching staff ahead of 2027.

There's no guarantee Murphy would have enjoyed the same success in Queens.

But with Milwaukee already holding a World Series lead, the Mets' decision seven years ago looks like an increasingly painful what-if.