Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Ex-Mets manager Luis Rojas had his introductory press conference with the New York Yankees on Tuesday. It was announced on Monday that he would join manager Aaron Boone’s staff as the third-base coach.
Rojas, a Mets lifer, was with the organization from 2006-21. In two seasons as Mets manager, the team went 103-119. The Mets decided not to renew his contract at the end of the season and pursue other opportunities.
“After that, it’s always tough when you hear you’re not going to keep doing something you’ve been doing for a couple years,” Rojas said. “Changes sometimes surprise you, but changes are good things a lot of times. I think that after that, I had the freedom to talk to other teams, though an offer to remain in the organization was talked about in that last talk I had with the Mets. I didn’t give an answer, but I did have permission to talk to other teams.”
The Mets were Rojas’ first major league managerial job. The son of Felipe Alou, who managed teams from 1992-2006, the job should come naturally to Rojas. Even if the experience ended prematurely, he remains grateful.
“It was a learning experience,” Rojas said. “I wouldn’t change it for anything at this point. I’m very grateful that I got the opportunity to manage the team for two years.”
Rojas connected with Boone over the phone as he was about to head to the Dominican Republic for the winter. Rojas enjoyed their conversations and remembered the manager’s warm welcome when he first got the Mets job.
“Aaron was the first manager that called me when I got the manager position with the New York Mets,” Rojas said. “He was the first one that called me over the phone and actually left a message. I couldn’t answer it on time. I called back and we connected, but he was welcoming me to the city as the manager of one of the two teams. I thought that was pretty neat. Immediately, we established a really good connection.”
The Mets are now looking for their third manager in four seasons, a search that will be led by Billy Eppler.
