Carlos Mendoza has World Series FOMO as he takes in Knicks’ home opener

Carlos Mendoza would person preferred being astatine Yankee Stadium connected Friday nighttime for what would person been Game 1 of nan World Series. 

Instead, 5 days aft nan Mets’ magical tally came to an extremity successful Los Angeles, nan first-year head was astatine Madison Square Garden pinch his begetter and his 2 sons taking successful nan Knicks location opener against nan Pacers. 

“One 100 percent, we wanted to beryllium playing correct now,” Mendoza told The Post earlier nan game. “We came up short unfortunately, truthful present we are now: offseason mode. 

“But it was a beautiful bully run. Nobody expected america to get to wherever we got. But we person expectations now, and we’ve gotta clasp those. The extremity is to beryllium playing heavy into October, twelvemonth aft year.” 

The 44-year-old Mendoza, of course, was hired past offseason from nan Yankees, pinch whom he served arsenic Aaron Boone’s chair coach from 2018-23.

Carlos Mendoza (right) speaks pinch Leon Rose up of nan Knicks-Pacers
game connected Oct. 25, 2024. Screengrab

He admitted that facing nan Yanks successful nan Fall Classic would’ve had “a small bit” much meaning to him “but not really.” 

“You want to get there. Whoever you’re playing, you want to beryllium there. And we’re not there,” Mendoza said. “Subway Series would person been special, but again, we’re not there. 

“I’m proud of Boonie, proud of nan full statement because it hasn’t been easy for them, particularly nan past fewer years, winning 90 games, 100 games and getting knocked retired of nan playoffs. It’s not easy. But I’m proud of them. There are a batch of group that I [have] sewage a batch of respect for successful that organization. 

Carlos Mendoza looks connected during nan Mets-Dodgers crippled connected Oct. 10, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Mendoza, who said his sons Andres and Adrian are “big hoops fans,” said during warm-ups pinch Knicks president Leon Rose and Senior VP of hoops operations Gerson Rosas.

He besides met pinch coach Tom Thibodeau earlier nan game. Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor besides was slated to be nan location opener. 

“I sewage my family pinch me, and I don’t get to do thing for illustration this often,” Mendoza said. “This is awesome. This is something, arsenic a shot coach aliases manager, you don’t get to do each nan time. But I decidedly wish I was astatine nan shot section correct now.” 

The Mets overcame a 24-35 commencement to decorativeness pinch an 89-73 grounds to gain a wild-card spot successful nan National League.

After defeating nan Brewers and nan Phillies successful nan playoffs, Mendoza’s squad mislaid to nan Dodgers successful six games successful nan NLCS.