Luis Rojas: The 23rd Mananger In Mets History

Luis Alou Rojas was born on September 1st 1981 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Rojas' father is legendary baseball player/manger Felipe Alou. Alou has fathered eleven children. 

Luis (among others) is half brother to former Mets player Moises Alou. His uncles are former short time Met, Jesus Alou & 1966 NL batting champion Matty Alou.

Rojas played for a short time with the Montreal Expos in their minor leagues, as a first & third baseman. His mind soon was more focused on managing like his dad.

Quotes- Luis Rojas: "That was more my role model growing up. If I had seen him play, maybe I would have thought more about playing."

Although he was never an MLB Player, Rojas has a long coaching & managerial career behind him, although it was never at the big league level. The Mets first hired him as their coach in the Dominican summer league (2007). In 2008 he joined the coaching staff of the Gulf Coast Mets. By 2010 he was coach for the A ball Savannah Sand Gnats.

In 2010 the Mets named him manager of the Gulf Coast Mets, St. Lucie Mets & then the Sand Gnats from 2012 to 2014. He was voted best managerial prospect in the Florida State League by his peers in 2015 & 2016.

In the Dominican Professional Baseball League, he replaced David Bell as manager in the 2015 / 2016 season & won his team a Championship.

In 2017 & 2018 he was the Mets AA Binghamton Rumble Ponies manager, bringing his team to second & fifth place finishes respectively. 

In 2019 the Mets thought so highly of Rojas that he was put on tier staff as quality control / outfield coach. This supposedly happened to block him from the Tampa Rays, who wanted to add him to their big league coaching staff.

After hiring & mutual resigning of Carlos Beltran, due to the ridiculous Astros sign stealing scandal, Rojas was named manager of the 2020 Mets just a few weeks before Spring Training is to begin.

As with anything Mets, there is skepticism, but just the same, some positive reaction. Former Mets player & legendary manager Bruce Bochy stated his approval for Rojas. He is a longtime friend of Felipe Alou as well.

Mets Rookie of the Year- Pete Alonso: " loved having Luis in '18 & '18 as my AA Manager! It's awesome playing under him & having him on staff last year as well!! Super pumped to have him as the manager. Also throws some damn good BP.

Marcus Stroman: Love love love it. Love being around him on the bench last year. Always teaching & full of knowledge. Super laid back & brings nothing but great vibes each & every day. Excited even more for the year!

Trivia: Rojas & Alou are now one of six father / son managers in MLB history. Connie & Earl Mack, George & Dick Sisler, Bob & Joel Skinner, Buddy & David Bell, Bob & Aaron Boone.