Carlos Mendoza compares Mets and Yankees fans, discusses pressure after 2025 collapse

Before the New York Mets hired Carlos Mendoza as their manager in the fall of 2023, he spent the previous four seasons serving as Aaron Boone's bench coach with the New York Yankees.

During a recent chat with Laura Albanese of Newsday, Mendoza was asked about his impressions of Mets fans after making the switch from the Bronx to Queens. 

Why Carlos Mendoza has special appreciation for Mets fans 

"I was struck by their loyalty," Mendoza responded. "Not that they don’t have that [for the] Yankees, but I think it’s an older fan base here. I think just like every fan base, they know baseball, and they understand it, but they’re going to let you know when you’re doing well, and they’re going to let you know when you’re not performing. It’s a great feeling knowing that people are going to hold you accountable, and that’s the Mets' fan base. They’re great, and we feel the support from them all the time."

Mendoza certainly has experienced the different types of passion Mets fans have for the franchise. In 2024, he became a hero among supporters as he guided the club on an unexpected run all the way to the National League Championship Series. The 2025 Mets then ended June 12 with a record of 45-24 before they started to fall apart amid what became an epic collapse that ended with the club missing the playoffs. 

Mendoza and other members of the Mets often heard boos during home games last summer. 

How Carlos Mendoza is handling the pressure of fixing what sunk the 2025 Mets

Rumors about alleged clubhouse issues that may have been related to politics and that allegedly impacted the Mets throughout last season continue to hover over the franchise heading into New York's Opening Day matchup versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Outfielder Brandon Nimmo, closer Edwin Diaz, first baseman Pete Alonso and utility man Jeff McNeil have all been replaced in different ways by Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns since last fall. 

"I see it as a great opportunity," Mendoza said when asked about the pressure associated with his job this spring. "There’s always going to be pressure here in New York, especially when you're the manager. But I always saw it as, man, I have a really good opportunity to do something special here. So I don't see it as pressure. I see it more like an opportunity to do something really special for this organization and for the fan base."

How Mendoza keeps his squad together from Thursday through the end of September could determine if he's still employed by the Mets at this time in 2027.