The Mets opened the season 0-5 and to some, the sky was falling, according to Brooks Raley. People were talking about 1960-something and how long we could go without winning a game, the reliever said Monday. But at least one person didnt panic, Raley added: rookie manager Carlos Mendoza. Its tough for a Scott Stevens Jersey first-time manager to have an 0-5 start, Raley said. We all wanted to see how he would react. Who wasnt looking at that? Especially as players, we want to see who you are when you fail. It was a great test and he pa sed it. Mendoza said the thought of a team meeting cro sed his mind, but its not something he wants to do, preferring one-on-one conversations or addre sing players at regularly-scheduled hitters or pitchers meetings. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza AP Im pretty sure there will be times Ill get the team together and say something, Mendoza said. But I didnt feel after five games it was the right time. The low-key approach seems to have paid off, for now, anyway. After that miserable beginning to his managerial career, Mendoza and the Mets won eight of their next 11 games, three consecutive series and got back to .500 . Explore More Mendoza, the longtime Yankees coach, remained calm at least on the outside and it served him well. Every team goes through stretches where its gonna be hard and out of the gate, we were dealing with some adversity, Mendoza said. We have a lot of experienced guys that have been here and been in this league for a long time. They know what it takes. Its a long season. You have to stay consistent, make sure you prepare and go out and compete. Its good to see the guys bouncing back quickly. Asked about his managerial style at this early point in his tenure, several players pointed to Mendozas communication skills. Mets relief pitcher Brooks Raley Jason Szenes for the NY Post For me, hes been the same guy from when we were with the Yankees, Luis Severino said. Knowing him from there, I knew he liked communication with the players, making sure you were OK, and also the same thing with everyone, from coaches and trainers, too. As for his on-field strategy, Mendoza opened some eyes by sticking with the right-handed Harrison Bader with the bases loaded and two outs Sunday against Kansas City right-hander Chris Stratton and lefty-swinging DJ Stewart available on the bench. The matchup, on paper, its probably an easy decision to shoot the lefty there with Stewart, Mendoza said. But for me, in that situation, bases loaded, two out and a guy who throws a 93 mph two-seam [fastball], Ill take my chances with Bader putting the ball in play. Mets starting pitcher Luis Severino AP With le s than two out, Mendoza said, he probably would have made a different decision. Bader, who also had the go-ahead hit on Monday, rewarded Mendozas confidence with a dribbler to third that turned into an RBI single for the games first run. With where we were [Sunday], Mendoza said, not all the time is it gonna work and it might be a different story today. You have to communicate with your players, but Im glad it worked out. And he doesnt intend to change. Ive been here a few years now and theres gonna be ups and downs, Mendoza said. And the importance of staying consistent with the players and coaching staff and making sure youre supporting and preparing them and youre right there with them I think goes a long way. Johnathan Kovacevic Jersey