Mar 29, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (12) reacts as benches cleared while New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (not pictured) argues a slide at second base during the seventh inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Milwaukee Brewers at New York Mets
(Queens, NY) – Rhys Hoskins must be thinking, “I’m not in Philly anymore.”
The accomplished slugger, who helped power the Phillies’ offense for several years before signing this offseason in Milwaukee, re-established his “heel” status with the New York Mets fans during Opening Day.
While going to break up a potential double play during the 7th inning, Hoskins slid late, and could have seriously injured Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil.
McNeil immediately gestured at Hoskins and yelled his way in frustration. Both team’s benches briefly cleared, and Hoskins – hanging back by his teammates – made a “boo hoo” or “crying” motion toward McNeil.
Baseball fans can hold a healthy debate over whether or not the slide was “dirty” or illegal. Following a video review, MLB’s operations and replay center said the slide wasn’t against the rules.
But for Hoskins, the “crying” motion and subsequent comments postgame – he suggested McNeil gets upset when things aren’t going his way – belie his truly moronic and misguided nature. You’d be forgiven for forgetting, but last year Hoskins injured his knee while tracking a foul ball during spring training. He landed awkwardly and tore the ACL in his left knee. The resulting surgery kept him out the entire regular and postseason.
So you would think a guy like Hoskins would appreciate a fellow player being upset, having come so close to injury. With McNeil’s leg planted in anticipation of making a throw to first, Hoskins’ late slide could have broken the second baseman’s leg, or seriously injured his lower body in some other way – indeed he could have torn McNeil’s ACL. That was of no consequence to Hoskins, who’s now a 31-year-old who’s been in MLB since 2017.
The first baseman claims he was “just playing the game hard, playing the game the right way.” And he said of McNeil that “he seems to be complaining when things aren’t going well. I think that’s kind of one of those moments.”
Of course, dating back to 2016 – and a similarly dirty slide from Chase Utley that injured Mets infielder Ruben Tejada – MLB decided takeout slides are no longer “playing the game the right way.” In fact, they’re illegal. By rights, Hoskins should have cost his team an extra out.
Interesting that Hoskins would describe a moment where a player was nearly injured by a questionable slide as “things (not) going well.” It clearly suggests he is a selfish and self-centered individual who sees potentially hurting an opposing player as akin to losing a regular season game. Bizarre. Hopefully Hoskins can remain healthy and avoid any of those “moments” where things aren’t great.
Perhaps the next time he steps in the box and gets buzzed by 95 MPH+ up by the ear hole he should be sure to not “complain.”
