ESPN's Jessica Mendoza Joins Mets in Front-Office Advisory Role

Olympic gold medalist Jessica Mendoza has joined the New York Mets' front office as a baseball operations advisor.

Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported Mendoza will hold a similar role to Mets legends David Wright, Al Leiter and John Franco within the organization. She will also remain a member of ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball announcing crew, per Tim Britton of The Athletic.

Mendoza helped lead the United States softball team to gold at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. She was also part of the 2008 squad that earned a silver medal.

The 38-year-old California native, who in 2015 became the first female analyst for a nationally televised MLB game, signed a multiyear contract extension with ESPN in December.

"It's just exciting to know this is going to keep going," Mendoza told Joe Reedy of the Associated Press. "I still feel like I am a rookie and learning. I get to continue with that growth."

The Mets announced "her focus will be in the areas of player evaluation, roster construction, technological advancement and health and performance" in her new role with the team. General manager Brodie Van Wagenen released a statement about the addition:

"Jessica is incredibly well respected throughout the industry and we are excited to bring her into the organization. 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."

Mets COO Jeff Wilpon added, "Jessica has a tremendous knowledge of the game. 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."

New York kicks off the 2019 regular season March 28 against the NL East rival Washington Nationals.