Gleyber Torres and Carlos Mendoza are no longer part of the same organization, but their history goes back nearly a decade.
Mendoza is on the other side of town, but Torres is taking over from his former Mets coach and knows there's a chance they could meet in the World Series if they both make it through their respective LCSs.
“I don't want to get too far ahead because there's a lot of work to do first, but it's going to be special to see him in the Subway Series at the World Series,” Torres said at the ALDS in Kansas City. Thursday. “Not just for us, but for New York. That would be great.”
But Torres and Mendoza still have a connection that goes back to the Cubs trading Aroldis Chapman to Chicago for Torres midway through the 2016 season.
At the time, Torres was one of the top prospects and Mendoza was a defensive instructor in the Yankees' minor league system.
“[Mendoza] “Torres was the first guy I really got to know at the Yankees, and he helped me more than anyone else when I got here,” said Torres, who, like Mendoza, is from Venezuela. “And he's been with me throughout my major league career until this year.”
Before Mendoza moved from district to district, Torres said his former bench coach knew how to deal with successes and failures, remained positive throughout, and gave a pep talk when he needed it.
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And one of Mendoza's messages rang especially true for Torres.
“He always told me, 'It's not how you start, it's how you finish.' And that's what happened for both of us this year. The Mets got off to a very slow start, but We played really well after that and are now in the playoffs, and I think we played well in the second half and hopefully in the postseason as well.”
Torres has had some memorable falls. They capped off a shaky season leading up to free agency with a great September, then got off to a hot start heading into the playoffs that knocked them out of first place.
Torres had an OPS of just .673 through September 1st, but had an OPS of .876 over the final 24 games of the regular season.
Torres had just three hits in 15 at bats against the Royals, but he had a home run, a double, five walks, and a series-high four RBIs.
The Mets also began rewriting their 2024 narrative in September, with Mendoza earning a wild-card spot and winning postseason series against Milwaukee and Philadelphia.
“I’m really happy for him,” Torres said. “He has always helped me and he deserves it. I thought he would be a good manager. I'm glad he got the chance and I hope he continues. “is”
