The Mets are hiring ESPN announcer Jessica Mendoza as a baseball operations advisor, reports SNY's Andy Martino.
While Mendoza is joining the Mets, she will also continue her role with ESPN, where she has been working as a color analyst on Sunday Night Baseball telecasts since 2016.
The 38-year-old Mendoza was an All-American softball player for Stanford, where she played from 1999-2002. Mendoza was also a member of Team USA Softball at the Summer Olympics in 2004 (taking home a gold medal) and 2008 (taking home a silver medal).
"I am excited to work with Brodie and his team and am thrilled to be associated with the Mets and their storied history," Mendoza said in a statement issued by the team. "I've known Brodie and Jeff Wilpon for years now and I'm honored to be a small part of the organization. I would also like to thank ESPN and Disney for their understanding and confidence as I balance both tasks moving forward. Baseball is a passion of mine and I look forward to expanding on my love for the game."
In her role with the Mets, Mendoza will provide insight to Van Wagenen and the entire Baseball Operations Department, the team said, adding that her focus will be on player evaluation, roster construction, technological advancement and health and performance.
"Jessica is incredibly well respected throughout the industry and we are excited to bring her into the organization," Van Wagenen said. "She is a world-class athlete and experienced television analyst with an extremely high baseball IQ. We are confident that she will help us in our efforts to win now and in the future. This hire demonstrates the continued support from ownership to invest in the intellectual capital of the New York Mets."
Mendoza was named the USA Softball Athlete of the Year in 2006 and was also recognized in 2008 as the Women's Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year.
"Jessica has a tremendous knowledge of the game," Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said. "She will be able to provide a different perspective to the club and help assist in a variety of roles within the Baseball Operations Department."
