Carlos Mendoza Reveals Struggles He Faced on Road to Becoming New York Mets’ Manager

The New York Mets are about to start a new season and a new chapter with their manager, Carlos Mendoza. After breaking the association with their former manager, Buck Showalter, following the disappointing season in 2023, the team signed the former Yankees’ coach Mendoza to meet their sky-high anticipation.

Now, it turns out that the excitement wasn’t one-sided, as the team’s new manager, Mendoza, remarked in his recent interview. With his embracing the new role in the new season, he seemed optimistic, resonating with his team members while depicting his journey to this point.

Carlos Mendoza’s rocky route led him to massive success

Mendoza appeared for an interview recently to open up about his first major-league managerial role and the path that led him up to here. The 2024 regular season is indeed a remarkable season for the 44-year-old ace, who has spent quite a few decades associating with baseball. However, the journey was never so easy for Mendoza, who believed that this was a dream-fulfilling moment in his life as he remarked, “This is something I’ve been dreaming my whole life; I’ve been preparing my whole life.”

The former Yankees’ coach entered professional baseball in 1997 and has been preparing for this day since then. During the interview in St. Lucie West, he reminisced about his early association with baseball. Passionate about the game, Mendoza started practising baseball as a kid, leading him to a career in which he played professionally for 14 years and coached it for 15.

But keeping aside his passion for the game, he also had to cope with the obvious struggles as he recalled the years, which were demolished with severe injuries. 2001 was one of them when he underwent a labrum surgery that claimed his entire season. However, he also noted that whatever it took him to look forward, he “kept going.” His unfaded passion for the game and determination paid off when his manager, Kash Beauchamp, informed him that he was signed by the Yankees in 2006. It was the stepping stone that scaled his path to where he is currently. Now, as he is about to live the life of his dream, what are his further plannings with his new team?

Read More: 5 Managers Who Have Led Both the Yankees and Mets: Amidst Pinstripes Bench Coach’s Potential Promotion Across the Bridge

Mendoza emphasised connections to demonstrate culture

In the wake of starting a new role with the new team, Mendoza highlighted the importance of the connection and relationship to build a strong bonding with his new team. As he said, “I value people, connections, relationships a lot. That’s your culture, right?” noting the importance of having a good relationship with his teams. On the one hand, Mendoza is preparing himself to build a butter-smooth relationship with his team; on the other hand, he is all set to get the necessary changes to the team to shape it ideally.

In terms of that, Francisco Lindor said, “He seems ready,” resonating with Mendoza himself as he said, “I know I am ready,” during the interview on Thursday. He took the team right from where their previous manager, Showalter, left, and he believed he “got a lot to do.” Though the new manager seems all decked up, the amount of his success will be determined by this season. So stay tuned.

Read More: Big Shoes to Fill: New MLB Managers Take Over Experienced Teams