Yankees face Reggie’s rage for failing to keep good men in their ranks

The Yankees are in a rebuilding mode for the upcoming season. However, Reggie Jackson feels the team is unable to keep good men in their ranks. He highlighted the departure of bench coach Carlos Mendoza to take over as the Mets’ manager as a prime example of how the Yankees are parting ways with talented people.

Reggie Jackson, a Hall of Famer with a wealth of experience in postseason and World Series success, has voiced his concerns, even expressing admiration for the Mets for their latest recruitment. This opens up another front for Cashman, who is facing brickbats over the Yankees’ analytics department, past trades, and offseason strategies.

Yankees legend slams team for letting coaches go

Reggie Jackson expressed his sentiments on X, conveying a message to the Mets and Steve Cohen. He mentioned that the Mets have hired a great individual, who he has known for over 25 years during his time with the Yankees.

The Yankees legend admired Mendoza calling him a true baseball man, and someone with big managerial potential. Jackson extended well wishes to his friend Mendoza. Additionally, he mentioned that while he still holds a connection to the Yankees, the departure of two great baseball men, Rob Thompson and Carlos Mendoza, from the organization doesn’t hold good for the team.

Reggie Jackson, a five-time World Series champion, expressed his views during the American League Championship Series regarding the perceived lack of value given to opinions of former Yankees legends within the organization. Reading between the lines, it appears that Reggie Jackson would have advocated more strongly to retain figures like Rob Thomson and Carlos Mendoza or, at the very least, to recognize their value differently. One could also argue that the Yankees‘ ability to nurture such talented and sought-after baseball personnel is a positive aspect.

Is he right?

Thomson dedicated 28 years to the organization in various capacities, concluding his tenure in 2018 as the bench coach. Subsequently, he assumed the same role with the Philadelphia Phillies after being overlooked for the team’s managerial position in favor of Aaron Boone. In 2022, Thomson became the manager of the Phillies.

Mendoza served as Boone’s bench coach for the past four seasons. As a former Yankees player, he contributed to the organization for nearly 15 years, fulfilling roles as a minor league coach, roving instructor, and major league coach. Additionally, he managed in the winter leagues.

Carlos Mendoza’s journey to becoming one of baseball’s most respected bench coaches started with humble beginnings. After arriving in the United States from Venezuela at 16, Mendoza spent years in the Yankees’ farm system trying to make it as a player.

Though he never reached the majors during his career, Mendoza displayed many qualities that would later aid him as a coach. The utility infielder was a constant student of the game, asking endless questions out of his deep love for baseball. He also provided value through his work ethic, bilingual skills, and care for teammates.

When his playing days wound down in 2009 at age 29, Mendoza contemplated the coaching route. He seamlessly transitioned the next year, starting out in the Charleston RiverDogs’ system under former Yankees staffer Greg Colbrunn.

Over the next decade, Mendoza steadily rose through the Yankees ranks. By 2017, he made the big-league staff as infield coach. His diligence and baseball acumen kept impressing, ultimately landing him the role of bench coach in 2019.

In that position, manager Aaron Boone relied heavily on Mendoza as a chief advisor. But now, after signing with San Francisco, the Yankees must move on without their trusted dugout confidant. At last week’s GM meetings, Brian Cashman rued the loss, admitting “We lost an asset.”

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