Carlos Mendoza has not gone into his first major-league manager’s job flying blind.
Mendoza spent six seasons on the New York Yankees’ coaching staff before being hired by the New York Mets in November. He replaces Buck Showalter, fired after the Mets went 75-87 last season despite having a $355 million payroll, the largest in MLB history.
Stepping into the job could be daunting for someone who has never managed in the major leagues. However, Mendoza’s time with Yankees manager Aaron Boone allowed him to learn about baseball life in New York.
Mendoza says he is ready for the challenge as the Mets prepare to open the season on March 28 when they host the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field. He understands the outsized expectations that are part of playing in the nation’s largest media market.
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