Carlos Mendoza is the new manager of the Mets.
The club announced the hiring of the 25th manager in club history Monday morning and he’s set to be introduced at Citi Field on Tuesday. News of the hire broke shortly before the general manager meetings began in Arizona a week ago, but it appears as though the ink has finally dried on the contract.
“We are excited to begin this new chapter of Mets baseball,” owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement. “Carlos brings a wealth of experience to the Mets that includes more than a decade managing and coaching in the minors as well as serving as bench coach the last four years with our cross-town rivals. Carlos is full of energy, passion and it was easy to see he’ll have a great rapport with both our veteran and young players.”
The Mets are giving Mendoza, who will turn 44 later this month, some runway as a rookie manager with a three-year contract and a club option for a fourth year. The Venezuela native comes to Queens from the Bronx, where he worked in the Yankees organization for 15 years after a long career in the minor leagues.
While Mendoza has never managed at the big-league level, he does have managerial experience in the minor leagues, having managed two of the Yankees’ Single-A affiliates and a rookie league affiliate as well. He has also managed and coached in the Venezuelan Winter League.
A native of Barquisimeto, Venezuela, Mendoza becomes only the second Venezuelan-born manager in Major League history. Former Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillén was previously the first and only. Monday proved to be an important day for baseball’s Latin American community, with the Houston Astros naming Puerto Rico native Joe Espada as Dusty Baker’s successor.
“I couldn’t be more excited to manage this tremendous franchise,” Mendoza said in a statement. “I want Mets fans to know that I will pour every ounce of energy into this job and we share a common goal of bringing a championship to Queens. I’m proud to represent Venezuela and the Mets and I’m grateful Steve, Alex and David (Stearns) gave me this wonderful opportunity.”
This is the first major hire for Stearns, the Mets’ new president of baseball operations. Stearns previously said he wanted a manager who could handle the various personalities in the clubhouse. People around the Yankees have described Mendoza as well-liked and well-respected by players and coaches alike. He’s been lauded for his ability to relate to players of various ages and backgrounds and to communicate analytical information in a way that younger players understand.
Stearns also said he wanted a manager who could grow with the team. There is plenty of growth for a first-time manager, though New York is a tough place for coaches to grow. However, the Mets are confident that they found what they’re looking for in Mendoza.
“We promised an exhaustive search and we are thrilled to introduce Carlos as the next manager of the Mets,” Stearns said in a statement. “Carlos has a brilliant baseball mind and a finely honed ability to collaborate with others. He comes with a fantastic reputation as a trusted leader and someone who has been beloved in every stop of his career.
“Carlos knows what it takes to lead, especially here in New York, and I am looking forward to partnering with him to bring sustained success to this franchise.”
