Mets players, icon react to stunning Andy Green news

The New York Mets stunned members of their fan base ahead of their game at the Texas Rangers on Tuesday when they confirmed that they had signed interim manager Andy Green to a three-year deal to make him their full-time manager.

MLB insider Chelsea Janes of SNY previously revealed how Mets star shortstop Francisco Lindor said on Sept. 19 that Green had served as a "light" and had brought "accountability" after the club parted ways with former manager Carlos Mendoza in late June. Thus, it's not surprising that Lindor seems pleased that Green will be sticking around for the foreseeable future. 

Francisco Lindor praises "wise decision" of hiring Andy Green 

"Felt like he’s done a good job and you don’t want to go into the offseason thinking about what’s going to happen," Lindor said of the Mets removing Green's interim tag, per Phillip Martinez of SNY. "A familiar face that’s been around for a couple of years now, and in the clubhouse with us. It’s a wise decision; it’s a good decision. And looking forward to the next couple of years."

Green has familiarity with younger players currently on the Mets roster, such as outfielder Carson Benge, outfielder A.J. Ewing and starting pitcher Christian Scott, due to working as the team's senior vice president of player development before he agreed to make his move from the front office following the firing of Mendoza. 

"Really pumped for him. He’s a really good dude," Scott said about Green. "Knew him pretty much my entire minor league career. Have that familiarity. He’s going to shoot straight and be honest with you. Winning is the most important thing with him. Continue to come to the field every day and be ourselves. Really happy for him and his family. I'm pumped he’s our manager."

Much has been said and written about how Green kept a Mets team that had little to play for following the Aug. 3 trade deadline from punting on the rest of what became a lost season for the organization. From the morning of Aug. 4 through Tuesday's 6-3 win in Texas, the Mets have gone from 47-66 to 72-85.

"He’s someone from day one who said he would hold players accountable, so if he says something, for better or worse, you have to listen," Lindor added about Green. "He can be a guy that can blend in and stand out as well. With that, that gives him the ability to call people out and the ability to tap someone on the back and say good job." 

Keith Hernandez: Andy Green is "the right guy for the job"

Per Andrew Battifarano of the New York Post, Mets legend and broadcaster Keith Hernandez said during SNY's coverage of Tuesday's game that "it’s very important when you have young players that you have a manager that knows their abilities." 

"I loved the fact that he pushed these players, pitchers as well as the everyday players. And I just think he’s the right guy for the job, and I’m absolutely thrilled," Hernandez added about the Mets hiring Green. 

Meanwhile, Mets second baseman Marcus Semien insisted that "everyone’s happy" Green accepted the job after the then-interim skipper suggested throughout the summer that he would return to the team's front office this fall. 

"You look at our entire season, not great," Semien said. "But since Andy stepped in, he’s helped a lot of guys be a better version of themselves. We’ve been playing a good brand of baseball. Glad to have that continuity moving forward. Extremely happy for him and his family."