Carlos Mendoza (baseball manager)

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Carlos Mendoza
Mendoza with the Mets in 2024
Manager
Born: (1979-11-27) November 27, 1979
Barquisimeto, Venezuela
Batted: Switch
Threw: Right
Career statistics
(through June 24, 2026)
Managerial record206–199
Winning %.509
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Managerial record at Baseball Reference 
Teams
As manager
As coach

Carlos Enrique Mendoza (born November 27, 1979) is a Venezuelan professional baseball manager who most recently managed the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has also previously served as a bench coach for the New York Yankees.

Early life and playing career

Mendoza 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

Mendoza with the Yankees in 2021

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, he 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

On 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-three call on Francisco Álvarez.[12]

On September 30, the Mets clinched a playoff spot, making Mendoza the first manager 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 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.[16]

The Mets had a 83–79 (.512) during the 2025 season and missed the postseason. Mendoza received criticism for his handling of the bullpen by former Mets reliever Adam Ottavino.[17] There were also reports of problems in the team clubhouse, including between Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto and between Lindor and Jeff McNeil, which Mendoza denied.[18] The Mets retained Mendoza for the 2026 season.[19][20]

On June 26, 2026, the Mets fired Mendoza after a 34–47 (.420) start to the year and in the midst of a six-game losing streak, including a game where they made six defensive errors.[21][22] The Mets' Senior Vice President for Player Development Andy Green was named as the interim manager.[22][23]

Managerial record

As of June 25, 2026
TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
GamesWonLostWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
NYM2024 1628973.5493rd in NL East76.538Lost NLCS (LAD)
NYM2025 1628379.5122nd in NL East––––
NYM2026 813447.420(fired)––––
Total405206199.50976.538

Personal life

As of November 2023, Mendoza is married to Francis Mendoza, and has two sons,[1] Adrian and Andres.[24]

References

  1. Caldera, Pete (March 3, 2021). "Who is Carlos Mendoza? 5 things to know about the Yankees' interim manager". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  2. Sammon, Will (November 13, 2023). "Tales of new Mets manager Carlos Mendoza: 'He'll be in the fight with the guys'". The Athletic. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  3. Miller, Andrew (April 3, 2012). "Mendoza starts 1st season as manager of RiverDogs". postandcourier.com.
  4. Carlos Mendoza will be manager of RiverDogs. Post and Courier. Retrieved on December 23, 2017.
  5. "Yankees Tab Carlos Mendoza as RiverDogs Manager". Charleston RiverDogs News.
  6. "Pedrique to coach RiverDogs". postandcourier.com. December 24, 2012.
  7. Hoch, Bryan (December 23, 2017). "Phil Nevin anticipating season with Yankees". MLB.com. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  8. Ackert, Kristie (November 11, 2019). "Carlos Mendoza will replace Josh Bard as the Yankees' bench coach". nydailynews.com.
  9. "MLB Ejections 070-71 - Gabe Morales & Bill Miller (NYY x2)".
  10. "Carlos Mendoza named Mets manager". MLB.com. November 13, 2023.
  11. WATCH: Mets fans cheer as Carlos Mendoza gets ejected after José Iglesias was called out on strikes, SportsKeeda, July 13, 2024
  12. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza ejected from pivotal game against Brewers, AP News, September 27, 2024
  13. Mets clinch postseason berth with epic win, face-off with Brewers in Wild Card Series, JustMets, October 1, 2024
  14. Hascup, Jimmy (October 21, 2024). "Did Mets' Carlos Mendoza make costly NLCS Game 6 decision? Their ex-outfielder thinks so". NJ.com. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  15. Mastracco, Abbey (November 12, 2024). "Mets' Francisco Lindor named finalist for NL MVP; Carlos Mendoza up for Manager of the Year". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  16. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5932569/2024/11/19/brewers-pat-murphy-nl-manager-of-the-year/
  17. Former Mets Reliever Slams Carlos Mendoza for Poor Bullpen Management, Newsweek, November 21, 2025
  18. Castillo, Jorge (December 8, 2025). "Mets manager Carlos Mendoza disputes reports of clubhouse issues". espn.com. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  19. Britton, Tim (September 29, 2025). "Carlos Mendoza to return for third season as manager of Mets". The Athletic. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  20. Castillo, Jorge (September 29, 2025). "Carlos Mendoza to return for third season as manager of Mets". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  21. Ritchie, Matthew (June 24, 2026). "Mets commit 6 infield errors in Game 2 of 'unacceptable' doubleheader sweep". Major League Baseball.
  22. "Last-place Mets fire manager Carlos Mendoza, replacing him with Andy Green". MyNorthwest.com. Associated Press. June 26, 2026. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  23. "Mets announce front office additions". MLB.com. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  24. Glasspiegel, Ryan (November 14, 2023). "New Mets manager Carlos Mendoza gives touching tribute to wife Francis". NEW YORK POST.