Before 2009: Mendoza had zero prior experience as a pitcher.
2009: In his 12th, and ultimately final, professional season, Carlos Mendoza made his debut on the pitcher’s mound in a May 12th blowout against the Portland Sea Dogs.
Following the ejection of manager Tony Franklin, Mendoza came off the bench to serve as first base coach, since Vic Valencia had to take over as acting manager. As the game continued to get out of hand, everyone’s favorite reliever, Noel Castillo, took over in the ninth inning. He faced a grand total of four batters, allowing one hit and three walks…somewhere in the middle of that disaster, Mendoza sprinted to the bullpen and quickly got loose.
With the bases loaded and nobody out, Mendy came into the game. Five pitches and three outs later, and his debut was a successful one. In typical Mendoza fashion, he downplayed his contributions after the game.
“I think I did OK, I got three outs,” he joked.
“It was lucky, it’s not that easy. It was just luck.”
After 2009: Mendoza played his last professional game on June 2nd, and became a coach for Short Season-A Staten Island. This season, he’ll serve as Charleston’s first base coach.
Mike Ashmore, mashmore98 AT gmail.com
