A Week to Remember

Danny Mendick is a gamer. From day one of his baseball career, he’s had to work extra hard to prove that he belongs on the diamond. From Monroe Community College, to the University of Massachusetts Lowell, to the 22nd round of the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft, to a significant injury and more – Mendick has not only proved that he belongs, he’s overcome many hurdles and taken his game to the highest level. And, he has succeeded along the way.

In his final home game of the Charlotte Knights’ opening week homestand at Truist Field, Mendick launched his first home run of the season. His three-run blast on Sunday, April 7, helped propel the Knights to a 6-2 win over the Norfolk Tides. As important as that home run was at the time, the win was even more important. It helped the Knights win one of the six games in the series -- after dropping the first five to the Tides. It was also the start of something great for Mendick, too.

A strong road trip through Jacksonville was helpful, a return to Truist Field was magical. In game one of a rain-shortened, five-game homestand, Mendick homered in the first inning of Charlotte’s 9-2 win over the Syracuse Mets on April 16. A night later, he homered in his second consecutive game. And then, he just kept homering. In fact, Mendick homered on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday – a truly amazing feat. A home run in five consecutive games and six consecutive home games – are you kidding me?

“I’ve been broadcasting Charlotte Knights baseball games for 27 years and I’ve never seen someone hit a home run in five straight games, said the Voice of the Knights, Matt Swierad. “Danny Mendick is on fire.”

As Mendick was on fire that entire week, his season stats put him among the International League leaders in numerous categories. Unfortunately, Charlotte’s game on Sunday, April 21 was cancelled due to rain – so Mendick didn’t get a chance to extend his streak. What if? Would he have homered in six straight games and seven straight home games? The streak will have to wait.

On Monday, April 22, Mendick was promoted to the Chicago White Sox. Yes, he was the ninth player promoted by the White Sox from Charlotte this season. But for Mendick, it was his first promotion to Chicago since 2022. And, this one was even more special than before.

While putting together a strong season for the White Sox in 2022, Mendick suffered a season-ending knee injury – a right ACL tear. He was placed on Chicago’s injured list on June 23 (2022) and never returned to play for the White Sox that year.

Once the 2022 season was over, Mendick was a free agent. In the offseason, he signed with the New York Mets organization and opened the season at Triple-A Syracuse. As a Rochester, NY native, it gave him another chance to play in Upstate New York, not too far from where he grew up. He even had another chance to play at Rochester as a visiting player against a team his family knows all too well.

Mendick’s grandfather, Bill Mendick Sr., is the longest-tenured season ticket holder in Rochester Red Wings history at nearly 76 years. The 2023 season gave Mendick another opportunity to play in Rochester in front of the hometown crowd and his family. He later took his talents to Citi Field and appeared in 35 games with the New York Mets.

But, it was déjà vu all over again as Mendick became a free agent after the season. This time, he would go back to the organization that drafted him – the Chicago White Sox. A successful stint with the Knights and back to Chicago. And that’s just what happened.

Mendick’s amazing journey continues to be written. He’s one of those players that gives 110% every single day. Hard work and determination come natural for him. He’s someone to root for – that’s for sure!