Dave Jauss returned from the ballpark to his “Bubble” hotel room in Santo Domingo, DR after managing another game in the Dominican Winter League. A seven-run first inning was difficult to overcome with one game remaining for his Escogido team. 

Jauss, former bench coach for Mets managers Jerry Manuel and Terry Collins has been accustomed to the protocols due to COVID-19. Depart the ballpark, shower, and have a light meal in the confines of a room that has all the necessities. 

This past 60-game season, he was employed by the Yankees in their scouting department after three years as bench coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Last week, after another Dominican League game, Jauss picked up his phone. Tim Naehring the Yankees vice president of baseball operations was on the other end. The conversation was not about his role next season with the Yankees 

Jauss explained, “Tim called and said the Mets asked for permission to bring me on as part of the coaching staff.”

No questions asked. Dave Jauss is back home. The Mets announced this past week that Jauss has been hired to serve as the club’s bench coach with manager Luis Rojas. 

“I want to thank Steve Cohen, Sandy Alderson, Jared Porter and Luis Rojas for the opportunity to be a part of what this organization can accomplish in the coming years,” Jauss said. “I’m thrilled to be a part of Luis’ staff in addition to helping him grow as a manager, just as his father, Felipe, helped me throughout my career.” 

Felipe Alou is also a connection. The former Major League outfielder, first baseman, and manager has known Jauss a long time. He is also the father of Luis Rojas.

The relationship with Alou and Rojas dates back years ago. Rojas sat on the bench when his father managed spring training games with the old Montreal Expos. Dave Jauss also sat with the young Rojas and learned a lot from Alou.

Photo by Ed Delany, MMO

“I know his Dad even better,” Jauss said. “ I got to know Luis when he was eight years old in West Palm Beach Florida.   Felipe is the second most influential person in my life next to my dad. He’s a friend and mentor. He’s godfather to my first son”

The current Mets manager reportedly asked for Jauss to join his coaching staff and succeed Hensley Meulens. The Yankees were good to Jauss when he didn’t have a job after his years on the bench with the Pirates and manager Clint Hurdle.

Now, Jauss is home again at Citi Field. He is enthused and excited about the opportunity working with Steve Cohen, Alderson, and of course Rojas.

Jauss has been in touch with Rojas. They spoke for three hours this week. A couple of days later his conversations with Sandy Alderson went well as they should. Alderson and Jauss go back to his days as a coach in the Mets instructional league.

“Biggest thing I can say what Louie and I talked about is the game of baseball is the same as it’s been 100 years. When you execute, whether it’s young players or middle of your career, and play together and join together, a common goal you have is an opportunity to be a special team but that was not as easy with a 60 game season.”

“On my end it was a very good fit as well on their end,” he said.  

And this will be a good fit. Dave Jauss said he loves New York, the Mets, and their fans. He never wanted to leave when he was the bench coach for three years with Jerry Manuel and Terry Collins.

“Blessed to be with Manuel and Omar Minaya ten years ago,” he said. “Now it’s another situation with the Mets.” 

“I’m talking about an exciting baseball team, new ownership. Working with Sandy Alderson who is a tremendous leader who I am confident will lead us into one of the top organizations in baseball.” 

Jauss is also anticipating his meeting with GM Jared Porter. They have briefly crossed paths as most baseball people always do. There is that familiarity of success that Porter brings with front office experience in Chicago, Boston, and as the assistant to the GM in Arizona.

“Respected,” Jauss said of Porter. “I look forward to working with him.” He knows third base coach Gary Disarcina, bullpen coach Ricky Bones and hitting coach Chili Davis. He looks forward to working with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.

And there is the familiarity of pitchers Steven Matz and Jeurys Familia. Matz was in rehab as a Mets prospect and Familia in Double-A Binghamton in his first stint with the organization.

And Jauss is confident that Matz will bounce back after a 2020 struggle and 9.68 ERA.  He said, Matz is special and has the respect of players and coaches. 

“In 2011, when I got to know Matz this was a real solid man going through major physical issues and his work ethics, even after that he had to continue in big leagues. He has talent and I look forward to seeing him confident.” 

I asked Jauss about the construction of the Mets roster. Jacob deGrom is special,” he said. “A young team, a veteran team or mixed team. “You need the sprinkling of veteran players.”

He would not go into detail of potential free agent signings with the names of George Springer and Trevor Bauer. Jauss, though, is excited about the construction of this Mets roster and the future.

Pete Alonso: “A man that loves his teammates and loves the game. He is a good leader on the team.”

Dominic Smith: Jumps at me when he steps in the box. When I was in the dugout on the other side, I said  ‘Oh my God, we better execute a pitch’.  

Brandon Nimmo: “Got to see Brandon in the instructional league. Dynamite player on the field. He’s one of these guys who grew in the   development system and on the big league level.”

But let me tell you something else about Dave Jauss. He is a father of three, including an elder son who is a head baseball coach at Limestone College that once employed Gaylord Perry as their first coach. We met back then in the clubhouse and often traveled back to Manhattan after games on the 7-train from Citi Field. 

Then, I got to know his philosophy as a coach. He knows the game of baseball as good as anyone with 33 years in the game.

He said then, and believes now that coaches share a responsibility to be well versed in all aspects of baseball.

“They also have the opportunity to feed players information, motivation, in every area of life because it’s what we do with our sons as a coach. As a coach many of our players are our sons.”

And years later,  l still hear from veteran and young players that 63-year old Dave Jauss is a mentor and like a father to them in the clubhouse and in the dugout.

Also, Dave Jauss loves Mets fans and looks forward to seeing them again at Citi Field. He understands their passion and got that experience years ago in Chicago. His father was a scout and he would go to games at Wrigley Field using his pass.

He sat with other Cubs fans. He learned the game watching from the bleachers. He learned what it was like being a fan and cheering for your favorite team. 

Cubs fans loved to criticize Leo Durocher as the manager because it’s a part of baseball.

“That’s what Citi Field fans are,” Jauss said. “When you don’t play right they are going to criticize you. They should, it’s the game of baseball. That’s the beauty of baseball.”

Welcome home Dave Jauss.