Steve Cohen Drops Judgement on Manager Carlos Medoza After Ressurecting Mets From Rock “Bottom”

From doormat to contenders, the New York Mets’ transformation this season is so dramatic it’s almost unbelievable. Remember when the Mets were losing terribly the last several seasons—77-85 in 2022 and 84-78 in 2023—despite players like Pete Alonzo and Francisco Lindor? Their stars couldn’t find their offense during the season, and their pitching lagged with expensive ERAs all season long. Who can forget Pete Alonso’s emotional interview after the Mets’ wild-card loss to the San Diego Padres in 2022?

“To be honest, it hurts, it really hurts. It’s not just the losing,” ex-manager Buck Showalter confirmed the success on paper compared to achieved: “We just didn’t play up to our potential.” Then entered rookie manager Carlos Medoza. Team owner Steve Cohen could hardly contain his enthusiasm over Medoza in an interview with Howie Rose: “When I first interviewed him, I walked out of the room, ‘How? I mean, this guy is so optimistic and charismatic!’” The Mets began the season with 11 games for under .500; they were so bad that a Mets pitcher threw his glove into the stands.

Estimate was cool under pressure, assured the players that they had enough time to turn the season around, and empowered them to believe in it, too. Once a team whirling around a .500 win percentage, they now sit on a 45-25 record with a .643 win percentage, which places them second in the NL East. Their pitching improved, lowering the team ERA from 4.80 last season to 3.60, and their hitting stepped up, too, moving from a team average of 5.2 to 6.3 runs per game. These numbers now make the Mets among the more dependable teams in the MLB.

The question remains: What makes the difference? As pitcher Max Scherzer said, “He’s constantly positive and focused on the bigger picture, even when things got rough.” Medoza’s modus operandi as the team’s chaplain was to stay positive and confident that the Mets’ play and standings would improve while the team was 11 games under .500. Jeff McNeil, an infielder, reported, “He had faith in us, and he didn’t let us pity ourselves.” With constant encouragement and reflecting on the bigger picture of the team, Medoza says he built a sense among the players that prompted the turnaround.

Despite all of this, the fact that makes the veteran manager immortal, he isn’t looking for a quick fix; he is planning a long-term strategy to bring success to the Mets. Carlos Medoza’s long-term plan is aimed at balance, achieving a reliable roster both now and in the future. Medoza’s signature addition this season is the historical signing of a 10-year, $341 million contract extension for shortstop Francisco Lindor. Another standout move is re-signing first baseman Pete Alonso to an agreement valued at $54 million. Mendoza’s role in the successful negotiation to bring superstar Juan Soto to the lineup is also beyond everyone’s imagination.

New York Mets Francisco Lindor reacts after hitting a rbi-triple in the third inning to give the Mets a 7-1 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the MLB, Baseball Herren, USA NLCS at Citi Field in New York City on Friday, October 18, 2024. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY NYP20241018214 RAYxSTUBBLEBINE

Reflecting on these achievements, Mendoza credited his communication skills, stating, “I praise myself in being a good communicator… It starts with investing time in your players, investing time with your coaches.” The Mets’ leadership has also been generous with their time and energy. “Carlos has our full support,” said Mets’ General Manager David Stearns, adding, “We believe in his vision and his ability to lead this team. We’re committed to providing him with the resources he needs to succeed.”

So, what truly ignited this spark? Was it solely Mendoza’s leadership? Was it some beautiful storm of talent and inspiration? The answer is most certainly complex. But one thing is unquestionable: the Mets facelift is a testament to belief, leadership, and the unpredictable nature of baseball itself. What does the future hold for this revitalized team? Share your predictions in the comments below!