Like a lot of New York Mets this season, Carlos Mendoza got off to a terrible start. During his first eight days as a major league manager, the team was rained out three times and opened 0-5. All at home.

Carlos Mendoza discusses the Mets' plan as they prepare for the upcoming NLCS, and provides an injury update on Jeff McNeil

This was early March, Port St. Lucie, a time in baseball when nothing seems impossible, when you can connect the dots all the way from spring to summer to autumn and believe every word of it. Carlos Mendoza was connecting dots.

Carlos Mendoza’s first year as New York Mets manager was supposed to be a learning experience. Instead, he has taken the team to its first National League Championship Series since 2015, overcoming early struggles and guiding the Mets back to prominence.

The Mets have repeatedly delivered magical moments under a first-year manager, Carlos Mendoza, whose steady approach continues to resonate during their improbable run to the NLCS.

Mets fans have a fan in the team’s manager. Carlos Mendoza spent six seasons as Yankees coach and became immersed in Bronx culture over six seasons and over the past year has gotten to understand the fan base in Queens.