The Mets’ 2025 campaign has been anything but smooth! They have won 71 games and lost 61, putting them in second place in the East. According to FanGraphs, they now have a 94.9% chance of making it to the playoffs. That clarity has not erased one pressing question: Is Carlos Mendoza the right person for the job? David Stearns finally has an answer.

Mendoza’s journey to the Mets dugout started in November 2023 with a three-year deal (with a club option) and the pressure of Queens’ expectations on his shoulders. Interestingly, it was Stearns’ first big move as the head of baseball operations. And the skipper proved why he was the right choice. The Mets started the 2024 season with a terrible 22–33 record but ended it with an 89–73 record and a spectacular run to the NLCS. Along the way, Mendoza became the first Mets manager to make the playoffs in his first year.

As the season began, expectations for him stayed the same, but the Mets’ noticeable slump raised doubts about the managerial roles. David Stearns addressed this skepticism on The Show podcast when he discussed Carlos Mendoza’s role for next year. He responded without hesitation, “Oh yeah. Mendy’s doing a great job. He and I have a very good relationship. I think he’s the right person for this job. I really enjoy working with him. And so, absolutely. Mendy is a very talented, skilled manager. He’s a very good communicator. And I’ve enjoyed my time with him.”  Nothing but confidence in his abilities. Well, he has given the reason by recording the 71 wins this season amid the slump.

The trust goes both ways. Mendoza was thrilled about his second year with the Mets after they signed Soto and were building a competitive team. “I feel really good. I love what we are doing.” And when asked about his takeaway from 2024, he told the truth: “The biggest thing I learned was going through the tough moments, especially the way we got out of the gate and having the bad month of May. It was a matter of staying consistent, being a good communicator. It was [two] of the things I learned in year one.”  Well, that year they had a 9–19 record in May, which means they won only 32% of their games. This was one of the worst months for the team in a long time.

As the Mets go through another tough stretch with playoff hopes on the line, Carlos Mendoza’s battle-tested mentality seems like just what Queens needs right now. And it looks like they have got it! Examining the recent performances of the Mets, especially against the divisional rivals, the Phillies, they have secured two victories, strengthening their case for the playoffs.

As the uncertainty in the front office was playing out in podcast interviews, Mendoza was quietly making his impact on baseball history in a completely different way.

Carlos Mendoza joins MLB history in an all-Venezuelan manager matchup

Mendoza made history in MLB this week, but not with a home run or a ninth-inning rally. Instead, he did it with a lineup card. He faced off against Miguel Cairo, the interim manager of the Washington Nationals. This was the first time two Venezuelan-born managers have faced off against each other in a regular-season game.

It wasn’t simply another pregame ritual for Carlos Mendoza; it was a moment that meant a lot to him. He answered, “A privilege.” “I’m humbled by it. It’s a big deal back home.” You can tell how proud he is of those words.

Mendoza started off as a coach and Cairo as an infield coordinator for the Yankees, so they have known each other for a long time. On the pitch, their paths crossed again, this time as leaders. Mendoza said with a grin, “Just being from the same country… it’s just an honor for both of us.”

Carlos Mendoza is now one of only four Venezuelan-born managers in MLB history, along with greats like Ozzie Guillen and Al Pedrique.

Mendoza has quieted the critics, at least for now, thanks to Stearns’ constant backing and a historic milestone. The true test isn’t whether he can handle the rumors; it’s whether he can turn these Mets from playoff contenders into October heroes.