The New York Mets are officially closing the book on the idea of a team captain, a decision that might surprise some but is firmly in place as long as owner Steve Cohen is at the helm. This move effectively halts any speculation that star shortstop Francisco Lindor would be the next to don the prestigious title.
Cohen made it clear on Monday, just before the Mets' first full-squad workout of the spring, that he has no intention of naming a captain. "As long as I'm owning the team, there will never be a team captain," he stated. His reasoning? He believes the dynamics of a baseball clubhouse are best left to the players themselves to navigate. "My view is the locker room is unique. Let the locker room sort it out year in, year out."
Historically, the Mets have had only four official captains: Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, John Franco, and David Wright. The captaincy has been vacant since Wright’s retirement in 2018. Many fans and observers had naturally assumed Lindor, a beloved and impactful player, was the heir apparent. Even the organization seemed to hint at this possibility, publishing a video last July that featured Lindor among past captains, though it was later deleted.
But here's where it gets controversial: Cohen, who purchased the Mets in November 2020, has always felt that the formal designation of a captain is unnecessary. "My view is every year the team's different and let the team kind of figure it out in the locker room without having the designation," he explained. He also pointed out that having a captain in baseball is quite rare, an unusual practice, suggesting he's looking to depart from the methods of previous ownership. "So whatever previous ownership did, that was their way of doing things and I look at things differently."
And this is the part most people miss: Cohen's desire to do things differently extends beyond just the captaincy. His primary objective is to bring a World Series title back to Queens, something that hasn't happened since 1986. He famously stated upon buying the team that failing to win a championship within three to five years would be "disappointing." Now, entering his sixth year as owner, he's still chasing that elusive goal, despite the Mets consistently having one of the highest payrolls in baseball. They've reached the NLCS once in 2024 but haven't clinched the ultimate prize.
Cohen expressed his frustration, saying, "I'm annoyed. I'm absolutely annoyed. Every year that goes by, I get frustrated." He reiterated his deep commitment to the team and acknowledged the passion of the fanbase, especially with the 40th anniversary of the 1986 championship on the horizon. "I know how much the fans care. I know we're celebrating the 40th anniversary of 1986 and that's just too long." He understands that winning the World Series isn't guaranteed, even with a strong team, but his focus remains on building a squad that consistently has a chance to compete in the playoffs. "But I just want to put myself in position every year in the playoffs where we have a chance with a really good team."
So, what do you think? Is Steve Cohen right to do away with the team captaincy, or does it diminish a tradition that could foster leadership? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
