Rhys Hoskins, the first baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers, sparked controversy during the Opening Day game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The tension escalated in the eighth inning when Hoskins slid aggressively into second base, taking out Jeff McNeil’s legs. This led to both benches clearing and the bullpens emptying, although there was no physical altercation among the players. Despite the heated exchange, the call at second base stood, and the Brewers won the game 3-1, with Hoskins going 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.
This incident wasn’t the first altercation between Hoskins and the Mets, as he had previously faced pitches thrown near his head and ribs during his time with the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2019, a slow home run trot by Hoskins took almost 35 seconds, not earning approval from the Mets’ clubhouse. With a history of questionable plays, including aggressive slides into second base, Hoskins has had a contentious relationship with the Mets, leading to the heated exchange during the recent game at Citi Field.
After the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza commented on the slide, acknowledging the history between Hoskins and McNeil. While Mendoza noted the late slide, he confirmed it was legal as Hoskins held on to the base. McNeil, who admitted to having a past with Hoskins, expressed his frustration with the aggressive play, citing previous incidents of questionable slides by the Brewers’ player. Meanwhile, Hoskins seemed to downplay the altercation, mentioning McNeil’s tendency to complain when things are not going well, suggesting that the incident was part of the heat of the game.
McNeil’s teammates rallied to support him after the game, with Francisco Lindor stating his backing of McNeil and wishing Hoskins had slid earlier. Despite the tension between the two players, the Mets and Brewers are set to face each other again on Saturday and Sunday, with a chance for further conflict on the field. As the teams prepare for their upcoming matchups, the incident between Hoskins and McNeil adds to the ongoing rivalry and tension between the two clubs, setting the stage for potential future confrontations.
