PORT ST. LUCIE — Edgardo Alfonzo was enjoying his role as a Mets ambassador, making public appearances on the club’s behalf, but something was still missing.
The former All-Star infielder was dismissed as the Mets’ Single-A manager at Brooklyn in 2019 — after leading the team to a New York-Penn League championship, nonetheless — and wondered if he would get another opportunity in player development.
Enter Carlos Mendoza, who following his arrival as Mets manager before last season, saw a potential resource in his long-ago mentor from Venezuela.
Alfonzo, 51, has spent much of Mets spring training in minor league camp as an advisor. It’s a role that will carry into the season, with Alfonzo visiting the various affiliates to help with the players.