The New York Mets have in Venezuelan Carlos Mendoza the ideal manager to bring out the potential of a team that is destined to reach the next World Series, as almost always, because the investments each season always support this desire and possibility, however, in his first year in charge things did not go as expected.
After a disappointing 2024, Mendoza recognizes that things did not start well from the bottom of the season: “My biggest lesson was going through the tough times, especially the way we started and the terrible month of May. It was about staying consistent, having good communication. Those were two of the biggest lessons in the first year,” Mendoza told MLB.com.
“I’m optimistic and calm”
The former Yankees bench coach recognizes his family as the cornerstone of his work: “I’m blessed with my support system off the field – my wife, kids and parents – who have helped me through those tough times. It’s not just been my support system, but seeing the guys prepare every day. If I know the players, coaches and everyone in the stadium are doing their part and getting ready to go out and compete, that gives me confidence. That keeps me optimistic and calm,” he said in the same interview.
2025 will be a defining season in Mendoza’s tenure with the Mets, as it is not only about leading the team to a winning campaign, but also never losing sight of the fact that the only goal is to be present in the next ‘Fall Classic’. The only difference with last season’s team is that this one, which Mendoza is already working with, has even more stars than the previous one, but it also seems that it will not have Pete Alonso, who was invoked by those attending the press conference with him and the entire major league roster.
A year of challenges for Carlos Mendoza
The challenge for Mendoza is to keep owner Steve Cohen and general manager David Stearns happy with good numbers, and on the field to get the maximum potential out of Dominican Juan Soto and maintain harmony in the locker room where the leader is still Puerto Rican Francisco Lindor.
Carlos Mendoza’s leadership will be tested once again as he takes charge of one of the most expensive rosters in MLB, where he will have to prioritize minimizing injuries that have a big impact on the team, as well as managing talent and being accountable within the always difficult National League East division.