Jess Mendoza - The Creator
SOFTBALL - OUTFIELD - OLYMPICS - TEAM USA
ARCHETYPE: THE CREATOR
Day 54/135
Athletic Accomplishments
Jess Mendoza was inducted into in the National Softball Hall of Fame in 2019 for her legendary career with Team USA, in the National Pro Fastpitch League, and at Stanford.
Mendoza was a standout multisport athlete at Adolfo Camarillo High School, where she was the two-time MVP of her basketball team and the LA Times Softball Player of the Year in 1998. Mendoza went on to play softball at Stanford, where she was a four-time First Team All-American, three-time All-Pac 10 selection, and three-time Stanford Female Athlete of the Year.
To this day, Mendoza still holds records for her career achievements at Stanford in the following categories: batting average (.416), hits (327), runs scored (230), and career home runs (50).
Mendoza played for Team USA from 2001-2010, as a starting outfielder in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, where she won gold and silver, respectively. On top of all that, she’s an undeniable winner. Let’s check out the scoreboard, shall we?
3x World Champion (2002, 2006, 2010)
3x World Cup Champion (2006, 2007, 2010)
2x Pan American Gold Medalist (2003, 2007)
2006 USA Softball Athlete of the Year
2008 Women’s Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year
Character Archetype: The Creator
Hall of Famer and two-time Olympic medalist Jess Mendoza retired from softball as one of the most legendary hitters, outfielders, and players in history. There’s no denying her legacy on the diamond.
These days, Mendoza is building another legacy in the broadcast booth. In 2015, she became the first female ESPN MLB game analyst, providing color commentary for MLB games and analysis on programs like Sunday Night Baseball, Baseball Tonight, and in live game telecasts. In 2019, she was hired as a senior advisor to the GM of the New York Mets. She continues to be a trusted voice on Sunday Night Baseball.
Mendoza continues to break barriers and climb the ranks. Sure, she faces haters and trolls, but after facing fastballs and breakers, pffft, that’s nothing.