Things got testy in the Mets’ season opener against the Brewers after former Phillie Rhys Hoskins slid hard into second base, with his cleat going directly into the ankle of Jeff McNeil, who was furious afterward.
On a potential double play ball in the top of the eighth inning, McNeil fumbled the ball on the transfer when fielding the throw from third, and as the ball fell away from second base, Hoskins came in hard and took out McNeil. As Hoskins lay on the infield dirt, McNeil stood over him, pointing and screaming as the umpires called Hoskins out. Hoskins began running back to the dugout, but turned back and had some words for Francisco Lindor, McNeil, and others as the benches and bullpens emptied.
As McNeil continued to shout at Hoskins, the former Phillie, who has a history with the Mets (including a 34 second home run trot that the Mets didn’t love), mimicked McNeil by wiping away fake tears from his face.
The play was reviewed and confirmed to be out after New York challenged for an illegal slide.
After the game, McNeil said Hoskins has had some "questionable" slides into second base before and called the slide, "definitely not OK."
Hoskins said of McNeil, "He just seems to be complaining when things aren't going well."
The Brewers won the game 3-1.
It was Hoskins' first MLB game since 2022 after tearing his ACL in 2023 Spring Training during his final season as a Phillie. Hoskins, 31, signed a two-year, $34 million deal with Milwaukee this offseason.