WALKING THE TALK

Callaway will rely on verbal skills to keep Mets in the loop

PORT ST. LUCIE — The door to Mickey Callaway’s office will remain open this spring, but finding the new Mets manager in that space could be a challenge.

Callaway prefers to mingle with players and share ideas. Communication is king. It’s an approach that was impressed upon the journeyman pitcher during a stint with the Rangers, in which he carefully observed manager Buck Showalter and the manner he tackled the job. “He cared about his players,” Callaway said earlier this offseason. “He communicated with his players. He made sure he was around. He didn’t just sit in his office. I learned a ton

of stuff from Buck.”

The 42-year-old Callaway is entrusted with a largely veteran Mets clubhouse that will seek answers about lineup and pitching decisions. Callaway will have the data. He will translate those numbers into a language players can understand. He will attempt to keep bruised egos to a minimum.

Such is the change that has occurred in the manager’s office following Terry Collins’ resignation in October after seven seasons. The 67-year-old Collins — who last year became the longest tenured manager in Mets

history — was among the last of baseball’s old-school leaders. But in a game driven by sabermetrics, a manager who can speak the same language as analytically focused front offices and impart nuanced information to players has become almost essential. “When I was first playing, the pitching coach said something, so I’m going to do it,” Callaway said. “Now you have to realize that, as a coach, if you say something to a player they are going to look it up right away. They have instant access to information. You better know what you’re talking about, and you had better put a lot of forethought into that.” It’s an education Callaway received over five seasons as Indians pitching coach under a maestro, Terry Francona. But now Callaway will be the f inal word, not just the trusted adviser to the manager.

Jay Bruce, who spent the final two months of last season with the Indians — before returning to the Mets this winter on a threeyear contract worth $39 million — says Callaway’s communication skills are his biggest asset.

“He will be very transparent as it refers to his plan with guys,” Bruce said. “He’s someone who doesn’t ask a lot or doesn’t have a lot of rules per se, but holds himself to a high standard and will expect everyone to meet those standards as well.”

The Mets’ fortunes will largely hinge upon their talented starting pitchers, and whether they can stay healthy and perform to their potential. It starts with ace Noah Syndergaard, who missed most of last season after tearing a lat muscle, but Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, Zack Wheeler and Seth Lugo all spent significant time sidelined by injuries and will be needed if the Mets plan to compete with the two-time defending NL East champion Nationals.

With so much emphasis on those arms, who better than a highly respected pitching guru to lead the Mets? And Callaway will get the counsel he needs from Dave Eiland, whose résumé as a pitching coach includes the 2009 Yankees and ’15 Royals, both of whom won the World Series.

“They’ve got a plan for the pitchers, and I think it’s going to be great,” Bruce said.

Callaway’s remaining staff is a mix of familiar names to the Mets and respected newcomers.

Pat Roessler, the former assistant Mets hitting coach, was promoted to the head job after Kevin Long’s departure for the Nationals. The new first base and outfield coach is Ruben Amaro Jr., the former general manager with the Phillies. The bench coach is Gary DiSarcina, who previously held the same role with the Red Sox.

Returning to their previous roles will be third-base coach Glenn Sherlock and bullpen coach Ricky Bones. Sherlock’s duties include working with the catchers.

But the focus will be on Callaway, who emerged from a list of finalists that included Long, Manny Acta and Joe McEwing, to become the 21st manager in Mets history.

“I am just going to be honest with everybody every day and go about my business,” Callaway said. “I love the game of baseball and thinking about it and thinking about leadership.”