Now in charge of the New York Mets, Carlos Mendoza will take on his former team, the Yankees, in this week’s Subway Series.
Having worked closely with Yankees boss Aaron Boone during his tenure in the Bronx, Mendoza’s likehood of becoming a manager was evident to Boone from the start.
“Maybe the first time I even met with him… We kinda hit it off right away,” Boone said.
“He’s a great coach, now manager, great person, and just someone that I have such tremendous respect for.”
Now managing Mets, Carlos Mendoza worked for Yankees
Carlos Mendoza’s journey from a Yankees minor league instructor and major league coach to Mets manager has been significant. Despite his long history with the Yankees, Mendoza remains focused on the present as he prepares for his first Subway Series as the Mets’ manager. “They have got a good team,” Mendoza said.
“We have a good team as well and we are equally playing well, too.”
The Mets are currently enjoying a strong run of form in June. They boast a13-6 record that includes four straight series victories and are eager to maintain their winning run against their Bronx rivals. With two games ahead at Citi Field, Carlos Mendoza is not thinking about the emotions behind facing his former side but is more focused on maintaining his side’s current form.
According to NY POST, Carlos Mendoza still occasionally converses with Boone, but this tonight’s game will be all business. Mets outfielder Harrison Bader, who has experienced the Subway Series from both sides, noted the unique position Mendoza is in, having helped develop many Yankees players. “Go out there and kick some ass — that is all there is to it,” Bader said. “If anything [the Subway Series], amplifies the level of gratitude we have for the opportunities of the game.”
Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres also praised Mendoza, recalling the significant impact he had on his career since arriving in New York in 2016. “He was always the guy, when I did bad things, he went hard with me,” Torres said, via SNY. “From the first day I came to the organization, Mendy helped me with everything. He helped me to get mature quicker. He was the infield coordinator. Then the first couple years [in the big leagues], if I didn’t run hard on the bases, or things like that, he would go straight to me. ‘Hey, you have to do the little things. You have to be a professional.’”
Torres expressed his happiness for Carlos Mendoza’s success with the Mets and looked forward to seeing him this week at Citi Field for the Subway Series.
Reflecting on Mendoza’s new role, Boone commented, “There’s always wrinkles to it. Mendy being such an important part of this organization for such a long time and now helping lead that organization, yeah, it’ll be a little odd. We got to do it in spring training where we saw him, but now these count. It’ll certainly be fun to see him.”
The games taking place this week are rather important for both sides, with city bragging rights on the line. For Mendoza, it’s a chance to indeed show his side’s run of form is no fluke while also embracing a friend who he will now compete against. As the Mets aim to sweep the series and maintain their momentum, Mendoza’s focus remains clear: “They are good, but we are good too.”
Up next
The New York Yankees are wrapping up prerations as they take on the Mets at Citi Field in the first game of the Subway Series, set to begin at 7:10 PM EST this Tuesday.
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