Mets tee up Callaway

The New York Mets found their man.

Mickey Callaway was introduced yesterday as the 21st manager in franchise history. General manager Sandy Alderson said he started with a list of more than 35 names for the job, but the process

BASEBALL

accelerated once he spent some time with Callaway.

“We had planned on having a second round of interviews but ended our first round and decided there was only one man for the job,” Alderson said.

The 42-year-old Callaway spent the last five seasons as the pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians. On Sunday, he agreed to a three-year deal with New York that includes an option for a fourth season.

Callaway replaces Terry Collins, who stepped down at the end of the season with his contract about to expire. Collins was the longest-tenured skipper in club history, and he stayed on as a special assistant to Alderson.

Dickey set free

The Atlanta Braves declined an $8 million team option on knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and exercised their $4 million option on catcher Tyler Flowers, who had a career year offensively in 2017.

Dickey, 42, said at the end of the season he will meet with his family before deciding whether he wants to continue to pitch. He gets a $500,000 buyout and will be a free agent . . . .

Jose Oquendo will return as third base coach for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018 after missing the past two years with health problems. Willie McGee will be new to manager Mike Matheny’s coaching staff, though a title wasn’t announced . . . .

Eric Hinske was hired to be the Los Angeles Angels hitting coach. Hinske spent the past four seasons as a Chicago Cubs coach and replaces Dave Hansen on Angels manager Mike Scioscia’s staff.

Frick finalists

Bob Costas, Al Michaels and Joe Buck are among the finalists for the Hall of Fame’s 2018 Ford Frick Award for excellence in baseball broadcasting. Don Drysdale, Dizzy Dean, Joe Morgan and Pee Wee Reese, a quartet in the Hall of Fame for their playing careers, also are among the finalists, the Hall said. The winner will be announced on Dec. 13 . . . .

Former major leaguer and current television analyst Ray Knight was charged with assault following an incident in his Alexandria, Va., home early Sunday. Police said Knight, 64, got into a fight with a 33-year-old male acquaintance and that both had visible injuries.