The New York Mets‘ 2025 season has been full of ups and downs, but the team remains in contention for the postseason. With a record of 71 wins and 61 losses, they are in second place in the East Division and, according to FanGraphs, have a 94.9% chance of making the playoffs. Amid the doubts, an inevitable question arose: is Carlos Mendoza the right man for the bench?
The Venezuelan manager arrived in November 2023 on a three-year contract, being the first major gamble of David Stearns as head of baseball operations. In his first year, Mendoza took the Mets from a weak start of 22-33 to finish 89-73 and reach the National League Championship Series, becoming the first Mets skipper to reach the playoffs in his debut season.
Mendoza’s response on the field
This year, despite a new losing streak that included a forgettable May (9-19), Stearns cleared up any uncertainty on The Show podcast. “Mendy is doing a great job. He’s talented, skilled and a great communicator. I enjoy working with him,” the executive said, confirming his confidence in the manager. Mendoza, for his part, said his biggest learning experience has been staying calm in tough times and maintaining communication with the team.
While the front office dealt with rumors and questions, Mendoza responded on the field. The team picked up two key wins against the Phillies, strengthening their playoff hopes and reaffirming that the Venezuelan’s serenity is a key asset for the Mets in a pressure-filled season finale.
Mendoza, in MLB history
In addition, Mendoza starred in a historic moment for MLB when he faced Miguel Cairo, interim manager of the Washington Nationals. It was the first time that two Venezuelan strategists faced each other in a regular season game, an event that Mendoza himself described as a “privilege” and a source of pride for his country.
Today, Mendoza is one of the few Venezuelan managers in Major League Baseball history, along with Ozzie Guillen and Al Pedrique. Backed by Stearns and with a historic milestone in his career, he now faces his ultimate test: to turn these Mets into a team capable of transcending in October and not just dreaming of the postseason.
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