Feb 15, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza talks with media at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Grapefruit League-Press Conference
PORT ST. LUCIE– First year skipper Carlos Mendoza is making his presence known in the Mets clubhouse.
The 44-year-old addressed his team for the first time on Monday. The rookie skipper spoke for about 15 minutes, ditching the notes he had prepared beforehand.
Mendoza explained that he had been thinking about this speech for years. He wanted his lecture to be inspiring and genuine.
“It’s not a secret: We’re here to win, and that was pretty clear,” Mendoza said according to the New York Post. “It’s New York, and there is no other way around it. The expectations here are always high. It doesn’t matter what the outside says and the public. We have expectations and goals.”
Those goals included making the playoffs – a tough task for a club who just finished 4th in the NL East last season at 75-87.
“They know who I am, they kinda getting the feel for the person, who Carlos Mendoza is and not only as a manager but also as an individual, a human being,” the Mets manager explained. “I thought that was pretty much what came across. Some of the guys coming up to me and like, ‘Man, that was real.’ They really appreciate that.
Mendoza started with the Yankees organization in 2009, most recently serving at their bench coach.
“It’s important for them to [know] where we stand, what the expectations [are]. It’s about business, too.”
What did owner Steven Cohen tell the new skipper about his first speech? He gave his new manager flowers.
“Great job [he said]. Look, it’s great when you have the owner, obviously Steve and Alex, walking around being available. Not only for us, but for the players and everybody in the organization. Day one. It means a lot to all of us, the whole squad here. Letting everyone know he cares and that was important.”
As for Cohen? The Mets owner has been working remotely from Florida and will show up to camp for the occasionally but insisted that he prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
