When ESPN analyst Jessica Mendoza was hired by the New York Mets as an operations adviser last season, many people around the game raised an eyebrow at the feasibility of holding both positions. Receiving league-wide access as a baseball analyst for ESPN, while also having the ability to report to the Mets, seemed like an obvious conflict of interest.
In the last few months, one of Major League Baseball’s worst cheating scandals was uncovered, in large part due to a willingness by pitcher Mike Fiers to reveal the Houston Astros sign-stealing scheme. An active player stepping forward to expose the scandal, was an unprecedented move that has been lauded by many for leveling the playing field.
Thursday morning, Mendoza made it clear she disagreed with what Fiers did. “To go public with it and call them out and start all of this, it’s hard to swallow,” Mendoza said while appearing as an ESPN analyst on their morning radio show Golic and Wingo.
Later appearing on ESPN’s First Take, Mendoza doubled down on her Fiers take, stating he “ratted everyone out,”” again expressing concern for his decision to make the scandal public.
At the same time, the Mets were mulling how to handle their recently hired manager Carlos Beltran, who was found to have played a “key role” in the Astros sign-stealing scandal. Mendoza is entitled to her opinion, but attempting to shame Fiers while the MLB organization she works for is in flux, caused questions about her perspective.
Mendoza then took to Twitter to clarify her criticism of Fiers. But the clarification can also be viewed as a backtrack,as she credited Fiers for stepping forward. The ESPN and Mets employee also stated she believes Fiers should have alerted Major League Baseball, not a reporter about the Astros’ cheating scheme.
“In regards to the Mets, I want to make it extra clear that my advisor role with the team does not shape my opinion in any way, shape or form on this matter,” Mendoza added. “I feel this way regardless of what, teams, players or managers are involved.”
During a conference call to discuss the decision to part ways with Carlos Beltran, Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen was asked about Mendoza’s comments on ESPN.
“Jessica was speaking as an ESPN analyst, not as a spokesperson for the Mets,” Van Wagenen said. “I have not had the opportunity to speak with her yet.”
Mendoza’s opinions on Fiers’ decision to make the scandal public are valid. But talking about it as an ESPN employee, while her other employer the New York Mets became inadvertently involved in the scandal, exemplified the concerns about Mendoza working for both entities.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here
