Manager Carlos Mendoza #64 of the New York Mets looks on during game two of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field on April 4, 2024, in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
The New York Mets won their first game of the 2024 regular season on April 4. They beat the Detroit Tigers at home 2-1 off a game-winning single from left fielder Tyrone Taylor in the bottom of the ninth inning, with first-year manager Carlos Mendoza recording his first managerial win in the bigs after starting the year 0-5.
Mendoza, 44, was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. He is managing his first season in Major League Baseball with the orange and blue after serving as the New York Yankees Bench Coach from 2020-23.
“I understand the City of New York since being here the past six years. I know how passionate the fan base is and the expectations that they got here, and just know that I understand that I am ready for this challenge, and I see this as a great opportunity. This is not only a great chance for me but the New York Mets”, Mendoza said to the media during his introduction as the Mets new manager back in November.
Mendoza was also the bench coach for the Venezuelan national team during the 2023 World Baseball Classic under manager Omar Lopez.
Mendoza has only managed in the minor leagues in the Yankees system with the Gulf Coast League Yankees in 2011 and the Charleston RiverDogs in 2012.
Mendoza managed for two seasons in Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional with the Cardenales de Lara from 2021-23.
Mendoza is the fourth Venezuelan-born manager to manage in Major League Baseball, joining Ozzie Guillen, Alfredo Pedrique, and Miguel Cairo. Guillen, Pedrique, and Cairo have managed LVBP and MLB in their careers.
Mendoza joins Joe Espada, first-year manager of the Houston Astros, and Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who are both from the island of Puerto Rico, as the only Latino-born managers to start the 2024 MLB regular season.
MLB Latino Born Managers:
*Baseball Reference Resonates Latino-Born Managers That Manage In The Negro Leagues Prior to 1950
Puerto Rico: Sandy Alomar, Alex Cora, Joe Espada, Charlie Montoyo, and Edwin Rodriguez
Dominican Republic: Manny Acta, Felipe Alou, Tony Pena, Luis Pujols, Luis Rojas, and Juan Samuel
Cuba: Bernardo Baro*, Pelayo Chacon*, Martin Dihigo*, Reinaldo Drake*, Jose Maria Fernandez*, Jose Maria Fernandez*, Preston Gomez, Fredi Gonzalez, Mike Gonzalez*, Marty Martinez, Jose Mendez*, Tony Perez, Ramiro Ramirez*, Cookie Rojas, and Carlos Tosca
