Los Jefes: Mets manager Carlos Mendoza

Few outside of Queens expected the Mets to contend for a playoff spot this year. Yet, rookie manager Carlos Mendoza enters the final week of the season in postseason contention.

Mendoza, a native of Venezuela, once dreamed of becoming the next Omar Vizquel or Luis Sojo. He signed with the San Francisco Giants as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela at 16 years old. His playing career fizzled in the minors before the Yankees hired him as Class A coach in 2009.

Fifteen years later, the Barquisimeto, Venezuela, native he is wrapping up his first season as a big league manager with a chance to lead the Mets to the playoffs.

In honor of Latino Heritage Month, Our Esquina is highlighting Latino excellence in leadership with a series of Q&A’s with Major League Baseball’s Latino managers.

‘Proud’ of managerial platform 

Our Esquina: What does it mean to you to have five Latino managers in MLB?

Carlos Mendoza: It’s an honor. I’m proud to be one of them and also proud of the other Latinos who represent us in this platform in baseball in the big leagues, truly it is.  

OE: What has been some of the best advice you’ve received on being a manager?

CM: Be your own person. Be yourself. Remain humble and listen. Have the ability to listen, I think, has been one of the best pieces of advice I’ve received.

Honored to manage Francisco Lindor

OE: As Francisco Lindor’s manager, what does it mean to have him on your team and see him play at this MVP level.

CM: It’s an honor, a privilege to be able to put his name in the lineup card day after day and see him play. It’s not just seeing him play, but also all that he does off the field for this organization, for the New York Mets, how much he wants to win and that things are done in first class with the New York Mets organization.

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Los Jefes Part 1: Nationals manager Dave Martinez

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OE: What advice would give a Latino who wants to be a manager?

CM: Concentrate on being the best version of themselves in the position they have right now. Don’t try to do more. Focus always on being the best person in the position that they have. A lot of people are always watching them and when the things are going to be there for you, as long as you’re doing well the doors will open.

OE: How has being bilingual helped you in this position.

CM: Yes, I remember at the start I didn’t know any English when I was 16 years old and I came for the first time to this country as a professional player.

It cost me a lot, but my parents helped me a lot in time for school and pushed me. I had to have my lectures. I had to read. I had to write in English. That helped me a lot. Also, you have conversations. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. That was advice that I learned at an early age. Thank God, it’s not perfect but we keep learning.

Belief is key for Carlos Mendoza

OE: How important is it for you to represent the Latino community? 

CM: Super important, especially in the Latino community where it’s not easy to come to another country, learn another culture and triumph. My advice has always been from the start is don’t stop fighting for your dreams, don’t stop believing in yourself and remain always humble and remain always respectful.

OE: Is there anything extra you’d like to say to Latinos who are seeing you now?

CM: Never stop fighting for your dreams. Life isn’t easy. You will fall, but you have to get up. They will hit you twice, but you have to get up three times. That’s the best advice. In any realm you’re in, life isn’t easy and you have to fight.