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Milwaukee Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins Sparks Controversy with Aggressive Slide against New York Mets

March 29, 2024
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Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins drew a steady rain of boos when he was introduced on Opening Day at Citi Field before taking on the New York Mets. He drew everyone’s attention again in the eighth inning after sliding into second base too aggressively.

On a ground ball to the left side, Hoskins broke from first base and slid through the bag, taking out Jeff McNeil’s legs. McNeil immediately got up, stood over Hoskins and voiced his clear displeasure.

Both benches cleared and bullpens emptied but there was no physical altercation among the players. The two men continued to jaw at each other from across the field as the two sides retreated to their respective dugouts. At one point, Hoskins made a “cry-baby” gesture by balling his fists and pretending to rub his eyes.

The Mets challenged the call at second base, thinking that Hoskins’ late slide was a violation of the rules, but he hung on to the bag and the call stood.

This isn’t the first altercation between Hoskins and the Mets. As a long-time member of the Philadelphia Phillies, Hoskins ducked pitches thrown toward his head and avoided ones thrown inside near his ribs.

A home run trot in 2019 took Hoskins almost 35 seconds to round the bases. That didn’t earn him high praise in the Mets’ clubhouse.

Milwaukee ended up winning Friday’s game 3-1, and Hoskins finished 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.

Rhys Hoskins Causes Benches to Clear
Rhys Hoskins of the Milwaukee Brewers takes infield during a spring training workout at American Family Fields of Phoenix on Feb. 22, 2024, in Phoenix. He was part of a bench-clearing incident on Friday.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

After the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza commented on the slide. Even though it was late, Mendoza said the slide was legal because Hoskins held on to the base.

“There’s some history between them two and that’s what got Jeff heated there,” Mendoza said. “Late slide but legal because he held on to the base.”

McNeil admitted the two players have “a little bit of a past.” He also noted Hoskins has had a couple of other questionable slides into second base before, so he was somewhat prepared for it.

McNeil’s teammates came to his defense after the game. Francisco Lindor said he wished Hoskins would’ve slid a little earlier, but he is with his teammate 100 percent and will always back him up.

Speaking in the visitors’ clubhouse, Hoskins spoke about playing at Citi Field “a whole bunch” and that McNeil “seems to complain when things are going well.”

The two teams will meet again on Saturday and Sunday at 1:40 p.m. ET.