Century’s Buck Showalter Out As New York Mets’ Manager
October 3, 2023
Century’s Buck Showalter is out as manager of the New York Mets.
“I want to make sure I get this right,” Showalter said early Sunday afternoon, his voice catching, before revealing that his tenure was coming to an end. He read a prepared note he had written on a piece of paper.
About an hour later, as Showalter approached home plate to exchange his lineup card for the final time as Mets manager, dozens of his players and staff members spilled out of the dugout to applaud him. The Citi Field crowd followed suit, offering Showalter a standing ovation. Showalter exchanged the card then turned, put his head down and walked quietly back to the dugout, where he watched the Mets lose 9-1 to the Phillies in their season finale.
That dugout office, where Showalter has spent more time than all but 18 men in history, is no longer his home. Following Saturday’s penultimate game of the season, Mets general manager Billy Eppler informed Showalter that he could either resign or be fired. Showalter, who had one year left on his contract, chose the latter route.
“I think the players know I would never quit or resign,” Showalter said.
Owner Steve Cohen considered the move necessary out of fairness to David Stearns, whose hiring as president of baseball operations will become official on Monday. The Mets’ owner did not want to disempower Stearns by forcing him to keep an incumbent manager, regardless of how popular that manager may have been.
“Buck did everything we wanted him to do,” Cohen said. “Not everything went right this year, and yet he kept an even-keel. The players loved him. These are always hard things to do.”
“I can’t tell you right now if it’s the right or wrong decision,” shortstop Francisco Lindor added. “Do I like it? No. It doesn’t feel good to have a man that I love, that my family loves, be without a job.”
As a manager, Showalter’s legacy is complicated. Of the 838 men to manage in the Major Leagues, only 18 of them won more games than him. But only 16 lost more games than Showalter, whose managerial career began in 1992 at the helm of a rebuilding Yankees team. Following a disappointing playoff performance in 1995, Showalter was dismissed, only to watch the Yankees win the World Series four times under Joe Torre. He moved onto a D-backs team that also won its first title a year after Showalter left.
Brought back to New York years later to resurrect the Mets, Showalter lasted two seasons, going 175-148.
Overall, he has produced a .509 winning percentage over 22 years and 3,393 games as a manager. Showalter has won just one postseason series, plus a Wild Card Game with the Orioles. Only Gene Mauch managed and won more MLB games without a pennant, which does not leave Showalter with a bitter taste.
“Baseball has been very fair to me, all things considered,” he said.
One of Showalter’s best chances to break through occurred last year, when he guided the Mets to a 101-win season but saw the NL East title slip out of his grasp with days to go. Rather than enjoy a bye, the Mets lost in the Wild Card Series to the Padres before faltering again this summer. They produced a sub-.500 record despite the largest payroll in Major League history.
“When things aren’t going well in New York, things happen,” outfielder Brandon Nimmo said. “And they happen quickly. It’s just our job as players to try and not let these things happen again.”
What the future looks like for Showalter remains to be seen. At 67, Showalter was already one of the game’s oldest managers, but he indicated he has a desire to remain in the dugout if another team will have him. Before joining the Mets, he spent time as a broadcaster, which could call to him again. Or, Showalter could simply retire home to Dallas, where he and his wife Angela have lived for years.
Showalter’s family moved to Century in the late 1950’s. His father served as a teacher, coach and principal at Century High School and Carver Middle in Century for 23 years. Buck Showalter, know as “Nat” to the locals, played Little League ball in a thriving program in Century, and he graduated from Century High School. Century’s modern day Showalter Park bears the family name in honor of his father.
Courtesy MLB/New York Mets
Tonight’s Powerball Jackpot Jumps To $1.04 Billion
October 2, 2023
The jackpot for tonight’s Powerball drawing as jumped to $1.04 billion.
Powerball jackpots start at $20 million and roll until the jackpot is won. Players win by matching the five white ball numbers (1-69) and the Power Ball number (1-26). The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are approximately 1-in-24.87.
Tickets must be purchased by 9 p.m. CDT to be eligible.
Driver Crashes Into Concrete Pole In Beulah
October 2, 2023
A driver was injured after crashing into a concrete pole early Monday morning in Beulah.
The crash happened about 4 a.m. at the intersection of West Nine Mile Road and Mobile Highway. The pickup truck crashed into a large concrete utility pole that supported traffic caution lights at the intersection. The pole, lights and wiring were downed.
The driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECUA Rates Increase 9.5% For Sanitation With ‘Free’ Second Can, 5% For Water And Sewer
October 2, 2023
Emerald Coast Utilities Authority rates increased effective October 1 by 9.5% for all sanitation customers and a 5% for water and sewer customers.
The 9.5% increase raises the rate for one 90-gallon container from $27.67 to $29.88 and includes an optional additional trash or recycling can at no cost.
Facing a potential $1.8 million shortball and big problems with the wrong items being placed in recycling cans, staff had proposed a more modest 3.5% rate increase for sanitation customers plus a $3 a month recycling fee.
ECUA staff had proposed a 4% rate increase for water and 6% for wastewater. The board approved an increase to both water and wastewater by 5%.
ECUA customers can make their request for a second sanitation can by calling customer service at (850) 476-0480 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m or by using an online contact form. Customer who wish to continue using a current recycling container do not need to call.
Warm Days, Nice Nights To Begin The Week; Fall Feels By Next Weekend
October 2, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Monday Night: Clear, with a low around 61. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 90. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Clear, with a low around 60. East wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. East wind around 5 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 82.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78.
Century Library Is Now Open On Mondays
October 2, 2023
The Century Library is now open on Mondays.
The library is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“Opening our Century location on Mondays is a step forward in ensuring that we are best serving the communities in the north end of Escambia County. We look forward to bringing new programming and events to the Century Library six days a week,” said Todd J. Humble, director of West Florida Public Libraries.
The Century Library hosts Family Story Time every Wednesday from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m. in addition to other programming and events.
The library is located at 991 North Century Boulevard, next to the town hall. A 24-hour book return is also available at the rear of the building.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Annual Peanut Butter Challenge Underway; Here’s How To Donate
October 2, 2023
The annual Peanut Butter Challenge is now underway in Escambia County to help families in need.
The Peanut Butter Challenge, UF/IFAS Extension’s annual jar collection for local food pantries, first launched in the Florida Panhandle in 2012. It has since launched statewide, giving counties the chance to compete for most jars of peanut butter donated. The challenge serves a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays and also promotes peanuts grown in Florida.
Unopened, unexpired jars of peanut butter can be donated at the following locations through October 31:
- Escambia County Extension, 3740 Stefani Road, Cantonment
- Escambia County Farm Bureau, 153 Highway 97, Molino
- Escambia County Public Safety, 6575 North W Street
- Gilmore Services, 31 East Fairfield Drive
- Escambia County Administration, 221 Palafox Place, 4th Floor
- Holy Spirit Catholic, 10650 Gulf Beach Highway
In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Pine Meadow Elementary Hosts ‘Donuts With Dad’
October 2, 2023
Pine Meadow Elementary School recently hosted “Donuts with Dad”. Dads had a chance to attend and enjoy doughnuts with their children Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bonus Pics: Tate Mini Cheerleaders, Cheerleaders, Band, ROTC And Fans
October 2, 2023
The Tate Aggies beat the Milton Panthers Friday night home.
For a bonus photo gallery with the cheerleaders and mini cheerleaders, click here.
For a bonus gallery with the student section, ROTC and band, click here.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
The Tate Aggies (3-2) will celebrate homecoming — Glo-Co ‘23 — Friday night as they host the West Florida Jaguars (2-4).
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
These Are This Week’s Road Work Trouble Spots
October 2, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until the end of October when the Welcome Center improvements are scheduled to be complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to east of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete later this summer.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through October as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (State Road (S.R.) 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) – Drivers will encounter the following closures on Lillian Highway from Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 13:
- Daytime shoulder closures from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform work.
- Beginning Sunday, Oct. 8, there will be nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., between Fairfield Drive and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform widening and driveway work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29/S.R. 95) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers will encounter the following closures on Lillian Highway from Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 13:
- Daytime shoulder closures from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform work.
- Beginning Sunday, Oct. 8, there will be nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., between Fairfield Drive and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform widening and driveway work.
- S.R. 29 Turn Lane Construction North of Pinoak Road – Motorists will encounter northbound inside lane closure Monday, Oct. 2 through Thursday, Oct. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane construction.
- U.S. 90 (West Cervantes Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at North C Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
- U.S. 98 (West Garden Street) Routine Utility Maintenance at U.S. 98 – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
- S.R. 292 (South Pace Boulevard) Routine Utility Maintenance at Street – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 20 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for utility maintenance.
- S.R. 297 Turn Lane Operations at Mandeville Lane – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Tuesday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for turn lane operations.
- U.S. 29 (Palafox Street) Routine Underground Utility Maintenance from Cross Street to Texar Drive – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 6 for underground utility maintenance.
- S.R. 292 (Barrancas Avenue) Routine Maintenance near Palao Road – Motorists will encounter nighttime lane closures Wednesday, Oct. 4 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for driveway repairs.
- U.S. 29 (Pensacola Boulevard) Routine Utility Maintenance from Broad Street to Detroit Boulevard – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for utility maintenance.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Tiger Park Lane and Bayshore Road Sunday, October 1, through Friday, October 6, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River - The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Friday, Sept. 29, and Tuesday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Oct. 5 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews perform pile cap construction work and receive delivery of construction materials. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph through the work zone.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.