Entering Wednesday’s action against the Cubs, the Mets are struggling to the finish line, going 8-12 during the month of September. Let’s not forget that New York is only one game ahead of the Reds for the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League. During the Mets’ recent eight-game losing streak, manager Carlos Mendoza was sitting on his living room couch early one morning when he received a FaceTime call from none other than Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, Mr.October himself.
Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza Gets Encouraging Phone Call From Friend Reggie Jackson
Jackson and Mendoza have been friends ever since they were working together in the Yankees organizaion as a baseball advisor and coach, respectfully, starting in 2009. Jackson called to give Mendoza words of encouragement during the Mets’ difficult time.
“I’m lucky enough to consider Reggie a friend,” Mendoza said. “… In this particular case, you are sitting at home late at night – [Jackson] is on the West Coast – and you have that type of phone call. It goes to show that you have a lot of support out there, especially coming from one of the greatest players that ever played this game. He was checking on me.”
What was the biggest advice Jackson gave Mendoza that night?
“You are [managing] for a reason. [He told me to] embrace everything, continue to learn and continue to move forward,” Mendoza recalled.
