FIREWORKS: Brewers', Mets' Benches and Bullpens Empty on Opening Day

[Matthew Trueblood]

In case anyone wondered whether a young Milwaukee Brewers team would be intimidated by pricier, more experienced opponents, Pat Murphy's charges set a very different tone on Opening Day.

Image courtesy of © Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

It's been a taut, exciting first game of the Brewers' 2024 season. They fell behind 1-0, but scored the next three tallies, taking a thin lead into the late innings and setting up Freddy Peralta for an Opening Day win. In the top of the eighth inning, though, the tension and adrenaline of the first contest of the year nearly boiled over, in ugly fashion.

On a potential double-play ground ball by Willy Adames, Rhys Hoskins slid hard, late, and through the bag into Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil.

Another look at Rhys Hoskins' slide at second base

He was not called for a slide rule violation pic.twitter.com/hJWLQQdumR

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) March 29, 2024

It was an awkward play, to say the least, and Hoskins will need to get down sooner and stay over the bag in the future, but there didn't seem to be malicious intent there. Immediately, though, the famously red-tailed McNeil reacted angrily. As Hoskins picked himself up and began jogging off the field, McNeil first stood over him, then shouted after him, restrained by the second base umpire. Part of the problem is that, back in 2022, McNeil was injured on a similar slide by Hoskins, while the latter was with Mets rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies. Still, his reaction was a bit dramatic.

The Brewers bench reacted more than Hoskins did, at first. Their new arrival doubles as a veteran leader, and the tone he set with that aggressive slide energized all of his teammates. McNeil wanted a fight, and though none quite materialized, a flood of Brewers personnel (and eventually members of both benches and bullpens) spilled onto the field for some jawing and posturing. The Mets also requested a review of the play, alleging that Adames should have been automatically called out for an illegal slide by Hoskins. They probably had a good case, but the appeal was denied.

More than anything, the situation seemed to constitute a huge overreaction by McNeil to a rough but non-egregious play. Hoskins is to be commended for being simultaneously non-confrontational (at first) and, er, non-apologetic.

The reaction from Rhys. ?? pic.twitter.com/Du7qF0dWwx

— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) March 29, 2024

The slide was questionable but not dirty, and the Brewers showed their collective intensity and cohesion by rushing to back up one of their new leaders. This sure will make the rest of the weekend series interesting, though. There are worse things than upsetting the Mets, especially when you back it up by finishing off an impressive all-around win, as the Brewers did shortly after the near-brouhaha.

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[Rick Daltons Flamethrower]

Loved the return of baseball. Thought it was super funny when Hoskins sent out the the cry baby gesture. Glad no one was hurt but the word dramatic fit the moment related to McNeil's reaction. He just over reacted. :)

[Michael Trzinski]

It appeared to me that he slid late, without malicious intent (JMO). He could have really wiped out McNeill, but he probably didn't even draw blood. Boyz will be boyz!

[groyce]

Hoskins came in with cleats up, dirty af. There was intent. Salt in the coffee. McNeil and Hoskins have been been going at it for years.