Carlos Mendoza Not Closing Door on Hiring Ex-Mets Manager as Bench Coach

A familiar face could potentially return to Queens in a different role.

At his introductory press conference at Citi Field on Tuesday, new New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza mentioned Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thompson, recently retired future Hall of Fame skipper Dusty Baker and Willie Randolph as three of his biggest mentors.

Mendoza specifically singled out Randolph, a former Mets manager and mainstay in the Bronx, as one of his biggest influences.

"I learned a lot the past few years from Willie Randolph, who I consider a friend," Mendoza said. "This is a guy that -- I don't know if he knows it -- he had a big impact on my coaching career."

Following his news conference, Mendoza was asked if Randolph was being considered for the Mets' bench coach job, which the skipper replied that he "greatly respects" him.

The word is that the Mets may hire a bench coach with major league managing experience.

Randolph, 69, was the Mets' manager from 2005 to 2008 and took them to Game 7 of the NLCS in 2006.

Randolph was a New York Yankees' coach from 1994-2004, the Milwaukee Brewers from 2009-2010 and the Baltimore Orioles in 2011.