Before Mendoza was known by his many aliases like Pancho, Miguel, Frank, and Mosca — yes, some of his high school friends knew him as Mosca! — his original nickname was Mickey.  His family, and friends who knew him as a youngster, have always called him Mickey.

The name originated because, as a toddler, he was a big fan of the Mickey Mouse Club.  It was a popular children’s show on ABC back in the late 1950’s.  Mickey was his favorite word, and it became his nickname.