Author: Shannon Shark @metspolice

I had mentioned the other day during my recap that it sounded like Mets Totally First Choice Manager Carlos Mendoza had never heard of Gary, Keith and Ron.   Awful Announcing has a VERY interesting take…

“I can’t wait to meet and have deep conversations with Gary, Keith and Ron.”

GKR Carlos Mendoza pic.twitter.com/N2NTmxfUKQ

— SNY (@SNYtv) November 14, 2023

The sentiment was nice, but Mendoza’s delivery was curious, having to look down at his notes three times while reading the short sentence. It gave the appearance that the line was fed to Mendoza by the Mets, begging the question, does the new manager even know who Gary, Keith and Ron are? Wednesday morning, WFAN’s Gregg Giannotti offered new insight into Mendoza’s curious delivery. According to Giannotti, the line was likely fed to Mendoza by the Mets, but it’s not because he doesn’t know who the broadcasters are, it’s because there’s some animosity between the announcers and players. (via Awful Announcing)

Giannotti was speaking on an old 20th century technology known as radio, which is like a podcast but one that you can’t listen to when you want, and comes with 20 minutes of commercials every hour.  It’s amazing to me that anyone even heard this fleeting conversation.  Anyway, he said, ““I have heard, I have been told, that Gary, Keith and Ron over the last number of years are never down talking to the players anymore,”

In the past Keith has mentioned he uses WFAN and the newspaper as his prep.  Way to work hard there Keith.  I have no idea what Ron does, although he seems very prepared, whereas Keith does seem like he just shows up at 7:09.  Gary – well, his vibe is that you’re lucky that he even graces you with his presence, you should be so lucky as to have Gary call a game..

Mr. Gianotti’s premise does not sound crazy to me.  After all, Gary somehow thought Daniel Murphy was a Net Negative despite watching the man play almost every day.

That said, I really have no idea.  I haven’t been in the building since David Wright’s last game, and my cable provider doesn’t even offer SNY and I wouldn’t watch it if they did, after all, baseball is boring and broken.

Back to you Gare.

 

The Mets are hosting their ninth annual MetsGiving Turkey Giveaway on Friday, November 17 to donate over 7,500 turkeys to those in need in advance of Thanksgiving. The Amazin’ Mets Foundation funded a $180,000 grant to support this initiative and is working with a total of 15 community partners throughout New York City to feed over 61,000 underserved individuals.

Taking over the New York City area, Mr. & Mrs. Met, Catcher Francisco Alvarez and members of the Mets organization will be onsite helping distribute turkeys across all five boroughs.

The Mets will host in-person distributions in each borough including the Queens Community Justice Center, New York Common Pantry in Manhattan, Part of the Solution in the Bronx, the New York Foundling in Staten Island and Maimonides Park in Brooklyn.

The Mets reportedly will not be giving Ohtani a big contract.

I wasn’t able to watch love but I am watching later in the day….

Watch live as Carlos Mendoza is introduced as #Mets manager. https://t.co/hwaxRO03vJ

— New York Mets (@Mets) November 14, 2023

I notice…that David…..Stearns…..speaks…..in short….bursts……is he….nervois?

First up, there’s the image I will be using in 2 years to make fun of the Mets when they fire Mendoza and bring in Joe Maddon.

Carlos thanked Steve and ALEX.   So every employee has been thanking Steve and Alex.  The press releases all mention Mets owners “Steve and Alex Cohen.”   Interesting.

Can we talk about how terrible this cap is?  Can we not get him a low crown cap?

While we’re at it, the swoosh on the jersey just ruins it.

At the 10:13 marker Carlos mentions Culture and Championships.  Mark your bingo card.

Right at the 15 minute mark a weird name check of Gary, Keith and Ron like he first heard about them 20 minutes ago and someone said they’d be cool to mention.  Sorry Howie.

Second question went to Spanish media….odd move.

4th question to Bruce Beck?  Are they afraid someone is gonna ask Stearns about Counsell?

31:22 not sure bringing up Lruis Rojas is doing anyone here any favors.  It just seems a reminder that we’ve gone backward.  Why again did we get rid of Buck?  And why is nobody asking about Counsell?

39:30 good point by some pointing out no first time managers have won the World Series

Not one question about Counsell.  Wow.

Anyway, see everyone back here in 2 years when the Mets introduce Joe Maddon as the right man to change the culture and bring a World Series to Queens.

 

You’re gonna need this today.

Yep, the Mets fired Buck Showalter to bring in Carlos Mendoza.  That was the pan.  Are you excited yet?

Also note the continued use of “Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen ”

The Mets did not share any images.

CARLOS MENDOZA NAMED METS MANAGER

 

FLUSHING, N.Y., November 13, 2023 – The New York Mets today announced that they have named Carlos Mendoza the 25^th manager in team history, agreeing to terms on a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth year. He will be introduced in a press conference in the Piazza 31 Club at Citi Field on Tuesday, November 14 at 12 p.m.

Mendoza, who turns 44 on November 27, spent the last 15 years in the Yankees organization, including the previous four as the team’s major league bench coach.

“We are excited to begin this new chapter of Mets baseball,” Mets owners Steve and Alex Cohen said. “Carlos brings a wealth of experience to the Mets that includes more than a decade managing and coaching in the minors as well as serving as bench coach the last four years with our cross-town rivals. Carlos is full of energy, passion and it was easy to see he’ll have a great rapport with both our veteran and young players.”

Mendoza, who will wear uniform #28, served two seasons (2018-2019) as the Yankees’ major league quality control coach and infield coach before he was promoted to bench coach.

“We promised an exhaustive search and we are thrilled to introduce Carlos as the next manager of the Mets,” President of Baseball Operations David Stearns said. “Carlos has a brilliant baseball mind and a finely honed ability to collaborate with others. He comes with a fantastic reputation as a trusted leader and someone who has been beloved in every stop of his career. Carlos knows what it takes to lead, especially here in New York, and I am looking forward to partnering with him to bring sustained success to this franchise.”

Mendoza, a native of Barquisimeto, Venezuela, is the second Venezuelan-born manager in Major League history, joining Ozzie Guillén. He served as the bench coach for Venezuela during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Additionally, Mendoza managed the Cardenales de Lara of the Venezuelan Winter League in 2021 and 2022. He had previously been their beach coach for the 2017-2018 campaign.

“I couldn’t be more excited to manage this tremendous franchise,” Mendoza said. “I want Mets fans to know that I will pour every ounce of energy into this job and we share a common goal of bringing a championship to Queens. I’m proud to represent Venezuela and the Mets and I’m grateful Steve, Alex and David gave me this wonderful opportunity.”

Mendoza was the Yankees’ lower level field coordinator in 2017 and infield coordinator from 2013-17. He managed Charleston, the Yankees’ Single-A affiliate in the South Atlantic League in 2012. He managed the Gulf Coast League Yankees to the 2011 championship. Mendoza coached with short-season Single-A Staten Island in the New York-Penn League in 2009 and with Charleston in 2010.

He served as the Scottsdale Scorpions manager in the Arizona Fall League in 2012 and 2016. Mendoza was the bench coach for the Gigantes de Carolina in the Puerto Rican Winter League during the 2014-15 campaign.

Mendoza played 10 minor league seasons (1997-2009) as an infielder in the San Francisco Giants and Yankees organizations as well as a three-years for the independent Pensacola Pelicans (2004-2006). He was originally signed by the Giants as a non-drafted free agent in 1996.

Carlos and his wife, Francis, have two sons, Adrian and Andres.