Luis Rojas lasted two years as the Mets manager, ending on a sour note with a team-wide collapse in the second half of the 2021 season, one that sent the team from first place to below .500 and out of the playoff picture in a span of two months.
Now, as Rojas gets ready to begin his new role as third base coach with the Yankees, Rojas isn’t looking back on his crosstown tenure with any regrets.
“It was a learning experience,” Rojas said. “I wouldn't change it for anything at this point. I learned a lot and I do reflect, and when I do, sometimes even new ideas come from it. You can’t change that. I'm very grateful that I got the opportunity to manage the team for two years. Things I’ll miss is a lot of friendships I established from years past.
“There are a lot of people there I do care about very much because I’ve known them for years. I’m going to miss them for sure.”
Rojas was told that the Mets would not be offering him a new contract to be the team’s manager in 2022, and while they did offer him a role in the organization, he eventually landed across town after an interview with Aaron Boone and the Yanks’ coaching staff, after Boone called him to check on his interest in joining his staff.
“It’s always tough when you hear that you’re not gonna keep doing something you’ve been doing the last couple years,” Rojas said. “Changes sometimes surprise you, but changes are good things a lot of times.”
Rojas saw plenty of drama and obstacles during his time with the Mets, from the COVID-19 pandemic altering the 2020 season to a change in ownership, multiple scandals with current or former members of the organization in Mickey Callaway and Jared Porter, to general manager Zack Scott being placed on administrative leave after being arrested for a DUI during the season. It was a turbulent time, but that’s not what Rojas is taking with him as he makes the short trip to the Bronx.
“I thought they’ve had a couple more events than probably any other team in the big leagues, but there were tough times,” Rojas said. “I think at the end of the day, at the end of life, you reflect on friendships, and that’s what I’ll reflect on the most.”
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