-
Associated Press
Mar 29, 2024, 06:58 PM ET
NEW YORK CITY– Even on a brand-new group in a various department, it took all of one video game for Rhys Hoskins to rile up the New York Mets.
Tempers flared Friday throughout the season opener at Citi Field when the Milwaukee Brewers’ newbie– who upset the Mets throughout his days with the NL East competing Phillies– moved hard into 2nd baseman Jeff McNeil on a prospective double-play ball in the 8th inning.
“Just a late slide. We’ve had a bit of a past, so I understood there was a possibility that he ‘d be can be found in like that,” McNeil stated after Milwaukee’s 3-1 triumph. “Didn’t like his slide. I wasn’t attempting to turn a double play at all. Simply attempting to capture the ball. There was no requirement to break it up.”
McNeil was noticeably mad after the play, gesturing and shouting down at Hoskins as the Milwaukee slugger was on the ground. Hoskins got up and headed for the Brewers’ dugout, however both benches and bullpens spilled onto the field.
Hoskins stated he kept his cleats down on the slide, and he believed McNeil overreacted.
“I’m simply attempting to play baseball, right?” Hoskins stated. “The last thing I wish to do is provide a clear lane to make a double play. A specific somebody took– McNeil took (exception) to my slide, however I didn’t actually believe much of it, to be truthful. I wound up striking him, however that’s what occurs with a slow-developing play.”
The groups remained apart and there was no pressing and pushing, though Hoskins rubbed his eyes as if to call McNeil a crybaby, and McNeil cursed at Hoskins from throughout the diamond.
“A couple of option words. You understand, I’ve played in this ballpark a lot, and he simply appears to be grumbling when things aren’t going well and I believe that’s kind of one of those minutes,” Hoskins stated. “Maybe lost in the heat of the video game a bit. Once again, I believe it was simply playing the video game difficult and playing the video game the best method.”
Even before Hoskins struck McNeil’s leg, McNeil bobbled the ball as he tried to move it to his tossing hand following 3rd baseman Brett Baty’s low toss. There was no relay to.
“He’s had some quite doubtful slides at 2nd base, for sure,” McNeil stated. “Definitely keep in mind taking a look at some in the past that were absolutely not okay. I understood there was a possibility that may take place. And it did.”
Hoskins stated after the play, he at first remained down in the dirt to let McNeil vent.
“I type of like laid there later. A number of guys stated, I believed perhaps you harm yourself. I was simply kind of letting whatever McNeil required to get out,