Like many players on the New York Mets this season, Carlos Mendoza started off poorly.
In his first eight days as a major league manager, the team faced three rainouts and opened the season with an 0-5 record—all at home.
His decisions were immediately questioned, and doubts began to surface. “Nothing has been easy for us,” Mendoza said. “Nothing at all.”
His hiring last November was praised by baseball experts who knew him well. Mendoza made a strong impression early on—smart, confident, and well-prepared from the start of spring training.
But this was New York City, and these were the struggling Mets, coming off a disappointing 75-87 record in 2023 under four-time Manager of the Year Buck Showalter, despite having the highest payroll in MLB history.
Perhaps a rookie manager who had only led teams at the Class A level in the minors was the last thing they really needed.
Now, six months later, it’s hard to imagine there was ever any doubt. Mendoza’s influence on his improved team has brought the surprising Mets to the National League Championship Series for the first time in nine years.
“He’s been fantastic,” first baseman Pete Alonso said. “He’s continued to show trust. He’s really good at putting together the best lineup and managing the starters and bullpens. He recognizes game situations well. So it’s been awesome. He’s done a great job so far.”
Next, New York will face the NL West champion Dodgers in a best-of-seven NLCS starting Sunday in Los Angeles.
“We’ve been through a lot. And this is not it,” Mendoza said. “We’ve got to continue to ride the wave. We’ve got to continue to believe.”
Players and opponents call him Mendy. He came to the Mets with a great reputation and experience managing in the Venezuelan Winter League and Arizona Fall League for top minor league prospects.
He spent the last 15 years in the New York Yankees organization, including the last four as bench coach for manager Aaron Boone.
While that might not have made him popular with some Mets fans at first, the 44-year-old Mendoza said his time with the Yankees was key to helping him succeed quickly in his current role, even after a 22-33 start.
“I think the biggest thing that I learned was knowing how to handle tough times, especially in a market like this, when it’s going to get loud, there’s going to be a lot of noise, and you have to protect your house,” he explained. “That’s what makes this city such a special city. You have to embrace it. You have to enjoy it.”
There have been many challenges since first-year President of Baseball Operations David Stearns hired Mendoza as the 25th manager in Mets history.
Kodai Senga, the team’s expected No. 1 starter, pitched only 5 1/3 innings during the regular season due to shoulder and calf injuries. The bullpen faced serious issues at times, and star closer Edwin Díaz had a breakdown in May before getting hurt and then suspended for using illegal sticky substances.
Injuries to catcher Francisco Alvarez, right fielder Starling Marte, and shortstop Francisco Lindor affected the lineup at different times.
Through all this, Mendoza maintained his composure, stayed focused, and never wavered. Those who knew him were not surprised.
“He taught me a lot,” said Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson, who worked with Mendoza in the Yankees system.
“We got to know each other and discussed various situations. I have a lot of respect for him because he understands the game. He knows how to manage. He understands how to communicate with both veterans and younger players. He’s a good man.”
