Carlos Mendoza already looks like a winner early in Mets tenure

delmermollie

MIAMI  These are the times that test a manager, especially a rookie manager like the Mets Carlos Mendoza.  Mendozas team is hitting a cro sroads (though not much else), and he staged his first team meeting late Wednesday. The timing was sound, as it occurred before the Mets initial series against a Marlins team thats barely trying.  What wasnt so great is what followed  the seasons most lackluster, even lethargic performances to date. The worst-in-the-majors Marlins whipped the Mets start to finish. The final score Friday was as ugly as the game. Rebuilding (read: tanking) Marlins 8, transitioning Mets 0.  Mets rookie manager Carlos Mendoza.  AP  Whatever me sage Mendoza imparted didnt get through, at least not immediately. But even as a career-long Yankee, he understands there will be days, and times, like these.  Mendozas Mets arent off to his hoped-for start at 20-24 entering Saturday, and the rookie skipper oft cited for his presence and patience instigated a big switch when he moved $341M man . Mendoza profe sed faith in Lindor (he takes a page out of his former Yankees bo s Aaron Boones commitment to compliments) but admitted he needed to try something different. The timing seemed right again.  More From  Jon Heyman  By virtue of National League mediocrity beyond the big three (Dodgers, Phillies and Braves), the Mets stood only 1  games out of playoff position. But its time  Justin Holiday Jersey to make a move, strategically and in the standings. The last-place Marlins are an opportunity that cant be wasted.  Its too early to make a strategy judgment on Mendoza (more on one questionable call later), but hes proving adept at handling baseballs ups and downs. Mendoza, according to those around the team, kept his cool when the Mets started 0-5. And he is now that theyve lost six of eight.  I learned a lot on the other side of town. When things get tough, you have to be consistent and stay the course and stay positive with the guys, Mendoza told The Post.  You have to be because the players are going to feed off you as the manager.  Mendoza says its important to stay positive with the team.  Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports  He suggested his Yankees tenure prepared him; theres no pretending the organizations are similar beyond their common area codes. The Yankees are historically star-studded and the Mets genetically star-cro sed. Mendoza gets that.  Thats what were trying to change here  the culture, he said. Obviously, its going to take time. Youve got to be patient. Because it doesnt happen overnight.  Mendozas own star seemed to rise overnight  he had three managerial interviews off the Yankees disaster of a 2023 season  and while I initially questioned the call, he appears to have the right personality and demeanor to handle what comes his way. And by the way: as Mets manager, plenty will.  Delivering insights on all things Amazins  Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+  Thank you  By clicking above you agree to the and .  Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter!  One rival NL exec in a recent interview noted Mendozas striking presence. He commands unusual respect for a neophyte manager from a very veteran group in the big city.  Hes been part of the grind in the fire in New York and internationally, his former Yankees colleague Willie Randolph says. Hes prepared, patient and a winner.  Smart, tough and great people skills, Boone added by text.  See Also  Even so, it seemed surprising that Mendoza, a guy who never sought the spotlight, was such a hot candidate that he was also considered by the Padres (who were always going in-house) and Guardians (who liked Mendoza but slightly preferred the even le s experienced Stephen Vogt, whos working out nicely).  Mendoza hasnt made a ton of glaring tactical errors but some wondered why he pitched to Marcell Ozuna (who trails only superhuman Shohei Ohtani in most offensive categories) with the go-ahead run on second, first base open and struggling lefty hitter Michael Harris on deck, and Ozuna singled up the middle in the 4-3 Mets win last Sunday.  You flat out cant let Ozuna beat you there, one NL scout said. (Mendoza said he recalls discu sing it in the dugout but decided to show faith in Adam Ottavino, whod never allowed a hit to Ozuna.)  I will admit I had questions about new Mets baseball president David Stearns big call to fall back on the bench coach of the underachieving 2023 Yankees  remember, it was an 82-80 disaster  after his old Milwaukee friend and first choice .  It was worth trying for the excellent Counsell even if the odds are long. Word was getting around that Counsell wanted to set a new standard for what he saw as underpaid MLB managers, and some said he and his wife liked New York even though he was managing his hometown team, which also happens to be the smallest market in the bigs. So that was worth a try.  I also get why Counsell chose the Cubs, who are 90 miles down I-94 and gave him the record $40M, five-year deal. And I get, too, why the Mets were never going to that dollar figure. Even ultra-generous Steve Cohen has his limits. Its just as well. It turns out their second choice also looks like a winner.  Toni Kukoc Jersey