Buck Showalter is putting his faith in science. The Mets manager is vaccinated and proud of it. If and when a second COVID booster becomes available (Pfizer is seeking FDA approval for patients 65 and over), Showalter wants to be first in line.
“Bring it on,” said Showalter, who was hired after the Mets declined to renew Luis Rojas’ contract this offseason. “They can stick it anywhere they want to stick it.”
While others have been reluctant to share their vax status (including Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who stonewalled reporters when the subject was raised at Tuesday’s media availability), Showalter has been an open book, advocating for the vaccine while encouraging others to join him in getting inoculated. Showalter recently made the difficult decision not to hire longtime collaborator Brian Butterfield for his Mets coaching staff, citing his refusal to get vaccinated.
New York has been among the most progressive cities in combating the virus, adhering to strict vaccine mandates throughout the pandemic. Over the weekend, Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kevin Durant blasted mayor Eric Adams for rules preventing teammate Kyrie Irving from playing against the Knicks, but still allowing him to attend Sunday’s game as a spectator. WFAN’s Carton and Roberts reported Tuesday that unvaccinated Mets and Yankees will not be eligible for home games at Citi Field and Yankee Stadium. Canada has adopted a similar policy, with only vaccinated players allowed to play at Rogers Centre this season.
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