After completing his first big league managerial season, the Baseball Writer’s Association of America announced Carlos Mendoza as a finalist for NL Manager of the Year. Mendoza led the Amazins’ to an 89-73 record, a Wild Card berth and an incredible run to the National League Championship Series, falling two wins short of a World Series appearance. Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers and Mike Shildt of the San Diego Padres are the other finalists.
The rookie manager faced struggle after struggle, but never wavered when faced with adversity. After beginning his managerial career 0-5, sitting 11 games under .500 and faced with the New York media, Mendoza stayed true to himself. Ron Darling, former Met and SNY broadcaster, called the manager “authentic” when choosing one word to describe him. He stayed positive throughout the 162-game season, during the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
More importantly, Mendoza proved to be a manager of the players. He trusted his players rather than relying solely on the analytics. For example, Mendoza was faced with a choice in Jose Quintana‘s April 28 start against the Cardinals. In the seventh inning of a tied game, with two outs, Quintana was still in the game, the longest a Met starter had gone thus far into the season. After visiting Quintana on the mound and speaking with him, he trusted his pitcher to go out there and get the final out. Quintana struck out Willson Contreras for the final out.
Mendoza became known as a manager who uses his gut and acknowledges that it sometimes will work and sometimes won’t. He was accountable, and for the players and personnel in the clubhouse and front office, it made all the difference.
The Mets had the best record in baseball from June 1 from June 1 (65-40) through the end of the season and were 28-16 in one-run wins. Mendoza and the Mets were third in most comeback wins in baseball in 2024.
Buck Showalter was the last Mets manager to win NL Manager of the Year in 2022.
The winners will be announced on Tuesday November 19.
