Carlos Enrique Mendoza (born November 27, 1979) is a Venezuelan professional baseball manager for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously served as a bench coach for the New York Yankees.
| Carlos Mendoza | |
|---|---|
 Mendoza with the Mets in 2024 | |
| New York Mets – No. 64 | |
| Manager | |
| Born: November 27, 1979 Barquisimeto, Venezuela | |
Batted: Switch Threw: Right | |
| Career statistics | |
| Managerial record | 89–73 |
| Winning % | .549 |
| Teams | |
| |
Early life and playing career
editMendoza was born, raised and attended college in Venezuela.[1] He signed as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants and also played for the New York Yankees organization as a utility infielder.[2] Mendoza played in Minor League Baseball for 13 seasons.[3]
Coaching career
edit
Mendoza became a member of the Staten Island Yankees coaching staff in 2009 before joining the Charleston RiverDogs in 2010. During the 2011 campaign, he served as the manager of the Gulf Coast League Yankees. He then returned to the RiverDogs as their manager before the 2012 season.[4][5] He became a roving defensive instructor in the Yankees' organization after the 2012 season.[6]
After the 2017 season, the Yankees promoted Mendoza to their major league coaching staff as an infield coach.[7] On November 11, 2019, Mendoza was named the bench coach of the Yankees, replacing Josh Bard.[8]
On June 6, 2021, Mendoza was ejected for the first time in his MLB career by second base umpire Bill Miller despite not saying a word. He was likely confused with hitting coach Marcus Thames who was the one arguing. The game also saw fellow Yankees coach Phil Nevin ejected by home plate umpire Gabe Morales in the previous inning.[9]
Managerial career
editOn November 13, 2023, Mendoza was named the manager of the New York Mets. He signed a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year.[10] On July 12, 2024, Mendoza was ejected from a game against the Colorado Rockies after arguing with home plate umpire Jeremie Rehak following a strike 3 call on Jose Iglesias, his first ejection as a manager.[11] He was also ejected on September 27 in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers by umpire Ramon De Jesus for arguing a strike 3 call on Francisco Álvarez.[12]
On September 30, 2024, the Mets clinched a playoff spot, making Mendoza the first in Mets history to make the postseason in his first season, as a rookie manager.[13] After defeating the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card Series and the Philadelphia Phillies in the Division Series, the Mets 2024 season ended after a 10-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.[14]
On November 11, 2024, Mendoza was named a finalist for NL Manager of the Year for his successful turnaround of the Mets.[15] He finished in third place, behind winner Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers and second place finisher Mike Shildt of the San Diego Padres.
Managerial record
edit- As of October 18, 2024
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | Won | Lost | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | |||
| NYM | 2024 | 162 | 89 | 73 | .549 | 3rd in NL East | 7 | 6 | .538 | Lost NLCS (LAD) | |
| Total | 162 | 89 | 73 | .549 | 7 | 6 | .538 | ||||
Personal life
editAs of March 2021[update], Mendoza is married to Frances Mendoza, and has two sons.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b Caldera, Pete (3 March 2021). "Who is Carlos Mendoza? 5 things to know about the Yankees' interim manager". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Sammon, Will (13 November 2023). "Tales of new Mets manager Carlos Mendoza: 'He'll be in the fight with the guys'". The Athletic. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
- ^ Miller, Andrew. "Mendoza starts 1st season as manager of RiverDogs". postandcourier.com.
- ^ Carlos Mendoza will be manager of RiverDogs. Post and Courier. Retrieved on 23 December 2017.
- ^ "Yankees Tab Carlos Mendoza as RiverDogs Manager". Charleston RiverDogs News.
- ^ "Pedrique to coach RiverDogs". postandcourier.com.
- ^ Hoch, Bryan (23 December 2017). "Phil Nevin anticipating season with Yankees". MLB.com. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ Ackert, Kristie (11 November 2019). "Carlos Mendoza will replace Josh Bard as the Yankees' bench coach". nydailynews.com.
- ^ "MLB Ejections 070-71 - Gabe Morales & Bill Miller (NYY x2)".
- ^ "Carlos Mendoza named Mets manager". MLB.com. 13 November 2023.
- ^ WATCH: Mets fans cheer as Carlos Mendoza gets ejected after José Iglesias was called out on strikes, SportsKeeda, July 13, 2024
- ^ Mets manager Carlos Mendoza ejected from pivotal game against Brewers, AP News, September 27, 2024
- ^ Mets clinch postseason berth with epic win, face-off with Brewers in Wild Card Series, JustMets, October 1, 2024
- ^ Did Mets’ Carlos Mendoza make costly NLCS Game 6 decision? Their ex-outfielder thinks so, NJ.com, October 20, 2024
- ^ https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/11/11/mets-francisco-lindor-nl-mvp-carlos-mendoza/
External links
edit- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)