Mickey Callaway's journey through the world of professional baseball is marked by a series of transitions from player to coach and eventually to manager. Born on May 13, 1975, in Memphis, Tennessee, Callaway attended the University of Mississippi, where he played college baseball for the Ole Miss Rebels. His professional career began when he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the seventh round of the 1996 MLB Draft.
Callaway made his Major League Baseball debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on June 12, 1999. As a right-handed pitcher, he spent parts of five seasons in the majors, playing for the Devil Rays, Anaheim Angels, and Texas Rangers. His time as a player in the MLB was characterized by a series of ups and downs, with Callaway often moving between the major leagues and minor league teams. His MLB playing career concluded with a record of 4-11 and an earned run average (ERA) of 6.27.
After his playing days in the United States, Callaway took his talents overseas, joining the Hyundai Unicorns in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) for the 2005 season. His stint in Korea was a successful one, as he helped the Unicorns win the Korean Series that year. This international experience added a unique chapter to his playing career, showcasing his adaptability and willingness to embrace new challenges.
Transitioning from player to coach, Callaway began his coaching career in the minor leagues. In 2010, he joined the Cleveland Indians organization as a coach for the Class A Lake County Captains. His coaching abilities quickly gained recognition, and by 2013, he was named the pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians' major league team. Under his guidance, the Indians' pitching staff flourished, with Callaway playing a crucial role in developing pitchers like Corey Kluber, who won the Cy Young Award in 2014 and 2017.
Callaway's success as a pitching coach led to his appointment as the manager of the New York Mets in October 2017. His tenure with the Mets began with high expectations, as he was tasked with leading a team that had struggled in previous seasons. In his first year as manager, the Mets finished with a record of 77-85, showing some improvement but still falling short of playoff contention. The following season, in 2019, the Mets improved to an 86-76 record, but once again missed the playoffs.
Despite the team's progress under his leadership, Callaway's time with the Mets was not without controversy. In October 2019, the Mets decided to part ways with him, ending his managerial stint after two seasons. Following his departure from the Mets, Callaway returned to a coaching role, joining the Los Angeles Angels as their pitching coach for the 2020 season.
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