PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — By Mickey Callaway’s estimate, he has used the word “accountable” thousands of times since taking over as the Mets manager last year, whether in interviews with the news media or in conversations with players. On Friday, before managing for the first time in a game, albeit a spring training exhibition, Callaway showed what he meant.
Dominic Smith, 22, a rookie first baseman who lost 35 pounds in the off-season and is vying to impress team officials, showed up late for an 8:45 a.m. team meeting before Friday’s game against the Atlanta Braves.