BOSTON — Aaron Boone, the longest-tenured coach or manager in New York, saw his former bench coach become the latest casualty in the local coaching ranks, as Carlos Mendoza was fired during a miserable season for the Mets.
Mendoza was Boone’s bench coach for four seasons before taking the job in Queens.
“I’m surprised I guess, but not surprised,’’ Boone said of Mendoza’s firing. “Obviously, it’s a tough situation over there with what they’ve been through this year — and even going back to last year.”
Boone said he’d spoken with Mendoza, who was in his third season with the Mets and was less than two years removed from an unexpected run to the NLCS in his first year.
“[Mendoza] is in a good place,’’ said Boone, in his ninth season at the helm in The Bronx. “I think he’s really good at what he does. I think he’s a great leader that, as time goes on, my expectation is he’ll be in line for another job in a lot of ways, shapes and forms.”
Anyone around the Mets knows that plenty of blame for their failure both this season and in 2025 lies with president of baseball operations David Stearns, who overhauled the roster and coaching staff last offseason with disastrous results.
Mendoza paid the price for the consistent losing at Citi Field.
“He’s earned a strong reputation in the industry and I think, even through all this, solidified that reputation,’’ Boone said .
Asked if it was the timing that was surprising, Boone said, “It’s always surprising. Can I say I’m really surprised this happened with what they’ve been through?
“No, not necessarily. But still, when you hear the news, it catches you.”
And like others who know Mendoza, who began his coaching career in the Yankees organization in 2009 and was on the major league staff from 2018 until his departure for the Mets, Boone is bullish on Mendoza’s future.
“I think he’s a great baseball man,’’ Boone said. “He’s a really good leader. I think he’s a really good manager that will get another opportunity.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
