Carlos Mendoza was introduced on Tuesday as the newest manager of the New York Mets, making a trip across the subway from the Bronx to Queens and trading out the navy blue pinstripes for royal. Mendoza, a member of the New York Yankees staff for the past six seasons, was most recently the bench coach for the Yankees before taking the job with the Mets.
A day after being named as the manager of the Mets, Mendoza joined Scott Braun, A.J. Pierzynski, and Erik Kratz on Foul Territory Podcast, where he discussed his first couple days as a Met and what being promoted to the title of manager means to him and his family.
The Importance of Family
“It was a great day, it was a really good day,” said Mendoza about his introductory press conference and first day as a Met. He described the moment of being named as the next manager of the Mets as a dream come true and a moment that left him “speechless.” He was able to be joined in New York by his family, including his parents all the way from Venezuela. He stated that being “it’s New York” (where he spent the last six years), he was prepared for it and said it made it special to have family there since it was scheduled last minute per the announcement that he had received the position.
In talking about family, he made a point to describe the importance of his family. Mendoza talked about all the sacrifices that families make, specifically wives and kids when their husband and father is away throughout the season, including sometimes during the offseason. He said being able to all be together at the press conference allowed them to all enjoy it together.
He also said that staying in New York was something that made his kids and wife very happy.
“This has been home for the past six years, and they are pretty familiar with everything here,” he said. “The fact that I get the opportunity to stay here in New York and now do it with the Mets is special for us.”
Being the Second Venezuelan Manager
Mendoza, a Venezuelan native, joins rare company as just the second Venezuelan manager in Major League Baseball history. Ozzie Guillén was the first back in 2004 with the White Sox and he led Chicago to a World Series win the next year. Guillén did reach out and congratulate his fellow Venezuelan-born major league manager.
Mendoza described the day as not only great for “the Venezuelan people, but for the Latin community.” Mendoza has a lot to be proud of. Before becoming a coach, Mendoza was a player. But he was a player who spent the entirety of his playing career in the minor leagues, never making it to the big leagues as a player. It’s a story of triumph.
“The goal was to play in the big leagues. To be honest with you, I was just surviving [in the minor leagues].” He described the language barrier and not knowing what to expect as a “big transition. It was hard,” he said.
He now is a big league manager, and Mendoza said it is something that means a lot to him, especially considering the journey he has been on.
“Getting the opportunity to coach at the big league level, and now being named the manager, is something I don’t take lightly. I’m very proud of it, and I’m happy to represent our country,” he said.
Photo via New York Mets
Filling Out Coaching Staff
In talking about his next steps with the Foul Territory team, Mendoza said the Mets are just starting the process of figuring out a coaching staff. “We are in the very early stages of putting together that coaching staff,” he stated. The Mets will begin to narrow down their search and begin the interview process soon for the positions that they have available. He said he is working with the front office to narrow down a bunch of names.
Mendoza spoke highly as well on the Mets’ president of baseball operations, David Stearns. He described Stearns as “humble, super smart, but somebody who cares about people and relationships, and a great human being.” Mendoza described himself as someone who values and embodies all of those characteristics as well and said he is excited to work with Stearns.
Mendoza the Manager
Mendoza also talked about how he would structure a lineup.
“It comes down to people, getting to know the people,” he said. “It’s a game of adjustments… the game will tell you what to do,” he said in describing that you use information, prepare, and be ready to make adjustments as the game and season goes on.
Mendoza said “building relationships” is how he plans to earn respect with his team as well. He reiterated the importance of “getting to know the people” and building respect and relationship with them.
Mendoza talked about the talent, young and veteran in New York.
“There’s a lot of talent here,” he said. “Especially after the moves they made at the trade deadline, they’re going to be ready to compete here in New York,” he said. He spoke on how they want to be coached and the importance of the coaching staff and current players creating an atmosphere that makes players feel comfortable when coming up, teaching them how to play the game, and navigating playing at the big league level.
Mendoza has spoken with Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil, Edwin Diaz, and other players to introduce himself. He said he was on the phone with Alonso for up to 45 minutes. “It felt like we could’ve kept going,” he described. Mendoza said the conversations were about getting to know each other and that next, he wants to meet with his players in person to get to know them more.
