By Sunday 
Mets Manager Halts ESPN Interview to Make Mid-Game Decision
Spring training is full of unexpected moments, but Mets manager Carlos Mendoza took things to a new level on Tuesday when he paused a live ESPN interview to make a pitching change.
A Spring Training First?
During the Mets’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida, Mendoza was in the middle of an in-game chat with ESPN’s broadcast team. While discussing the league’s Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), Mendoza suddenly remembered something—he had a game to manage.
“Alright, I gotta go make a pitching change,” Mendoza said, before handing off his headset and jogging out to the mound.
Managing in Real Time
At that moment, Mets starter Tylor Megill had just thrown his 47th pitch, nearing what was likely a 50-pitch limit for his second spring start. Rather than finishing his interview, Mendoza wasted no time pulling Megill and bringing in reliever Connor Overton.
The ESPN cameras captured the moment as Mendoza made his way to the mound, with former Mets managerial candidate Eduardo Perez humorously critiquing his jog.
Back to Business
After making the switch, Mendoza returned to the dugout, picked up his headset, and resumed his interview as if nothing had happened. However, his time to settle in didn’t last long—Overton faced just two batters before the inning ended.
What If This Happened in a Regular Season Game?
While in-game interviews have become a staple of ESPN’s MLB coverage, they remain a divisive feature among baseball fans. Some enjoy the added insights, while others argue they distract from the game itself.
Spring training is an ideal setting for these interactions, given the lower stakes, but Mendoza’s mid-interview decision raises an interesting thought—imagine if this happened in a regular-season game.
Fortunately for Mendoza and the Mets, this one didn’t count. But if nothing else, it was a moment that baseball fans won’t forget anytime soon.