Jeff McNeil’s ‘special’ return to Citi Field includes 2 hits, win

NEW YORK — This deep breath within the batter’s field was just a little completely different than standard for Jeff McNeil.

McNeil made an emotional return to Citi Field on Friday evening following his offseason commerce from the New York Mets to the Athletics. McNeil obtained a video tribute and a standing ovation prior to his first at-bat then went 2-for-4 with a ninth-inning RBI single in a 4-0 win.

“Spent, up to now, my entire career with that team, so it’s pretty special,” McNeil mentioned. “I got a little choked up up there. Just overall a super fun night.”

McNeil was drafted by the Mets in 2013 and gained the National League batting title in 2022. He was traded to the A’s in December as a part of David Stearns’ offseason overhaul that included buying and selling Brandon Nimmo and permitting Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz to go away as free brokers.

“I was looking through their lineup, and I got [from a teammate]: ‘Who do you know?'” McNeil mentioned earlier than the sport. “I go, ‘Well, I haven’t played with a lot of these guys.’ It was definitely an interesting offseason for them.”

McNeil, who turned 34 on Wednesday, appeared to be holding again tears as he stood on the prime step of the visiting dugout and watched an almost minute-long tribute shortly earlier than the primary pitch.

As he stood close to the batter’s field within the second inning, McNeil tipped the invoice of his helmet twice in acknowledgment of the ovation from an introduced crowd of 36,349. McNeil then took his patented deep breath and hit right into a 4-6-3 double play.

“I just tried to collect myself,” McNeil mentioned. “It’s kind of nice when that first at-bat was over, you know? It’s just like, all right, let’s go play baseball.”

McNeil doubled within the fourth and, at second base, robbed rookie Carson Benge of successful to finish the fifth. After lining out within the sixth, McNeil singled out in a three-run ninth.

The A’s grew to become the primary staff to shut out the Yankees and Mets on consecutive days, in both order, in accordance to Sportradar.

“Super special day,” McNeil mentioned. “I’m glad I got through it and now we just get to go play baseball.”