On Monday, November 13, Carlos Mendoza assumed the role of manager for the New York Mets, succeeding Luis Rojas and Buck Showalter.
It elicited a cascade of emotions for his wife, Francis.
In an introductory press conference, Mendoza expressed his deep appreciation for Francis, who had made substantial sacrifices for his MLB success.
Reminiscing about a pivotal conversation with his wife, Mendoza disclosed how she once decided to giving up a career as a dentist.
“I remember having this conversation with you. [I asked], ‘Are you sure you want to do this?" You gave up your career as a dentist… You said, ‘I’m ready to do this with you," and here we are, Francis. I love you so much, and I can’t wait for this next new chapter in our lives."
The Mendozas" love story commenced in the 2000s during Francis" third year in dental school.
Their path to matrimony faced obstacles, including the tragic loss of Francis" father to a brain tumor, leading to a postponed wedding.
Eventually marrying in 2009, the couple encountered another challenge when Carlos entered the Yankees Minor League system as a member of the Staten Island Yankees coaching staff.
The ultimate test of their commitment took place during Carlos" tenure as the manager of the Gulf Coast League Yankees.
Mark Newman, then the Yankees" senior vice president of baseball operations, presented a proposition to the Mendozas.
The couple grappled with the dilemma that obtaining a green card meant being unable to leave the United States for a year. And, Francis had to forsake her dental clinic and patients in Venezuela, making a difficult decision for the sake of their family"s future.
Reflecting on that moment, she shared:
“I knew my kids were going to have a better future here in the United States than back in Venezuela. So that’s the year I decided to give up my career [in Venezuela]."
Transitioning to life in the United States, Francis encountered hurdles in pursuing her dental career due to differing regulations.
Undeterred, she pivoted to becoming a Dental Assistant.
As the Mendozas expanded their family with the birth of their second son, Andres, Francis continued to navigate the intricacies.
Even as Carlos secured his first major league job with the Yankees, Francis put her dreams of returning to dentistry on hold.
Now, with Carlos at the helm of the Mets, Francis underscores the importance of a robust support system, stating:
“I feel, to make it to this position, you must have a great support system at home. We talk about it. We have a great team – him and me. I don’t regret what I did because it has been so worth it, and I’m so happy for him, our family, and proud of what we have accomplished."
Carlos Mendoza had a notable MLB career spanning from 1997 to 2000. His professional journey extended through 13 seasons in the minor leagues, concluding in 2009.
Transitioning to coaching, Mendoza played a pivotal role on the New York Yankees" coaching staff for six seasons (2018-2023), serving as a bench coach under Aaron Boone.
Now, having secured his position with the Mets, Mendoza has agreed to a three-year contract with a team option for the 2027 season.
