History of Jessica Mendoza in Timeline
Jessica Ofelia Mendoza is a prominent figure in American sports, recognized for her achievements as both a softball player and a sportscaster. During her college years at Stanford (1999-2002), she garnered significant acclaim as a four-time First Team All-American outfielder. Her prowess extended to the international stage as a member of the United States women's national softball team (2004-2010), where she earned a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Mendoza's professional career in the National Pro Fastpitch league further solidified her reputation, culminating in the 2011 Player of the Year award. Her career stats place her among the top 10 in batting average and slugging percentage. Currently, she continues to contribute to the sports world as an analyst for ESPN's Major League Baseball coverage and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Spectrum SportsNet LA.
November 11, 1980: Birth of Jessica Mendoza
Jessica Mendoza was born on November 11, 1980.
1998: High School Accolades
Jessica Mendoza was named the Los Angeles Times Player of the Year and Camarillo High School's Female Athlete of the Year in 1998.
March 6, 1999: Career-High Four Hits
On March 6, 1999, Jessica Mendoza achieved a single-game career-high of four hits against Illinois State.
1999: College Softball Career Begins
Jessica Mendoza began her college softball career at Stanford University in 1999.
1999: College Softball Debut
Jessica Mendoza made her debut in college softball for Stanford University, earning First Team All-American and All-Pac-10 Conference honors, as well as Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year in 1999.
March 22, 2000: 19-Game Hit Streak
On March 22, 2000, Jessica Mendoza concluded a 19-game hit streak, a school record at Stanford University.
2001: First Women's College World Series Appearance
In 2001, Jessica Mendoza helped lead Stanford to their first-ever Women's College World Series appearance.
2002: College Softball Career Ends
Jessica Mendoza's college softball career at Stanford University ended in 2002.
2003: Pan American Games Gold Medal
Jessica Mendoza won a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games.
2004: 2004 Athens Olympics Performance
During the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Jessica Mendoza contributed to Team USA's gold medal win, including performances against Italy and Greece.
2004: Olympic Gold Medal
Jessica Mendoza won a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics as a member of the United States women's national softball team.
2005: Joins National Pro Fastpitch
Jessica Mendoza joined the National Pro Fastpitch league in 2005.
2006: USA Softball Female Athlete of the Year
Jessica Mendoza was named USA Softball Female Athlete of the Year in 2006.
2007: Pan American Games and World Cup Gold Medals
In 2007, Jessica Mendoza won gold medals at both the Pan American Games and the World Cup.
2008: 2008 Beijing Olympics Performance
In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Jessica Mendoza played a significant role for Team USA, which won the silver medal.
2008: Canada Cup All-Star Team
Jessica Mendoza was named to the Canada Cup All-Star Team in 2008.
2008: Olympic Silver Medal
Jessica Mendoza won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a member of the United States women's national softball team.
2010: End of National Team Career
Jessica Mendoza's time with the United States women's national softball team ended in 2010.
2010: Cowles Cup Championship
Jessica Mendoza and the USSSA Pride won the Cowles Cup Championship in 2010.
October 11, 2011: ESPN Article Publication
On October 11, 2011, an ESPN article by Aimee Crawford stated that Jessica Mendoza is a second-generation Mexican-American. This article also mentions her family including her parents, Karen and Gil Mendoza, her siblings (one brother and two sisters), and her husband Adam Burks and their two sons. It also mentioned her father played football at Fresno State University.
2011: Focus on National Pro Fastpitch
Jessica Mendoza declined a US team invitation in 2011 to focus on National Pro Fastpitch.
2011: National Pro Fastpitch Player of the Year
Jessica Mendoza was named the National Pro Fastpitch Player of the Year in 2011.
June 30, 2014: Starts Working at ESPN
Jessica Mendoza began working on ESPN's Baseball Tonight on June 30, 2014.
June 16, 2015: First Female Broadcaster for College World Series
On June 16, 2015, Jessica Mendoza became the first female broadcaster in the booth for ESPN's College World Series coverage.
January 13, 2016: Joins Sunday Night Baseball Broadcast Team
ESPN announced on January 13, 2016, that Jessica Mendoza would join the Sunday Night Baseball broadcast team full-time.
2016: Begins as Sunday Night Baseball Commentator
Jessica Mendoza started as a color commentator on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball in 2016.
October 6, 2017: Commentates for 2017 NLDS on ESPN Radio
On October 6, 2017, Jessica Mendoza commentated for the 2017 NLDS on ESPN Radio, marking her first MLB post-season series.
2017: Houston Astros Sign-Stealing Scandal
In 2017, the Houston Astros engaged in a sign-stealing scheme during their World Series title run, which later became a major controversy in baseball.
March 5, 2019: Joins New York Mets as Senior Advisor
On March 5, 2019, Jessica Mendoza joined the New York Mets as a senior advisor to the general manager.
March 2019: Andi Sullivan Jersey Tribute
In March 2019, for their first match, each member of the US Women's National Soccer Team wore a jersey honoring a woman of their choosing. Andi Sullivan chose to honor Jessica Mendoza.
2019: Ends as Sunday Night Baseball Commentator
Jessica Mendoza finished her role as a color commentator on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball in 2019.
January 16, 2020: Mike Fiers Controversy
On January 16, 2020, Jessica Mendoza sparked controversy by criticizing Mike Fiers for revealing the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scheme. She later clarified her comments on Twitter.
February 7, 2020: ESPN Contract Extension
On February 7, 2020, amidst the Fiers controversy and concerns about her role with the Mets, Jessica Mendoza resigned from her Mets advisor position and was dropped from Sunday Night Baseball, but signed a contract extension with ESPN to continue as a baseball analyst.
October 2020: First Female World Series Analyst
In October 2020, Jessica Mendoza became the first female World Series analyst on any national broadcast platform, working on ESPN radio.
2021: Tokyo 2020 Olympics Broadcaster
In 2021, Jessica Mendoza was part of the broadcast team for NBC during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
March 2022: Joins Spectrum SportsNet LA
In March 2022, Jessica Mendoza joined Spectrum SportsNet LA to provide commentary for Los Angeles Dodgers games, alongside Eric Karros, Adrián González, José Mota, and Dontrelle Willis.