Last-place Mets fire manager Carlos Mendoza after dismal first half of season

The New York Mets have dismissed manager Carlos Mendoza after a terrible first half of the season, with the team languishing at 34-47 and in last place. The Mets' struggles have led to a six-game losing streak, placing them 15 games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves and 9.5 games out of the final wild-card spot. This move comes despite the team having MLB’s second-highest payroll at $377 million, highlighting the pressure to perform at the top level. The firing underscores the urgency for the Mets to turn things around and compete effectively in the National League.