Jeff McNeil confirms ‘little argument’ with Francisco Lindor last year, but says it was ‘no big deal’
With the Athletics in town to kick off a three-game set on Friday night, it marks the return of Jeff McNeil to Citi Field. McNeil, of course, spent seven years with the Mets before being dealt this offseason as part of the core shakeup. Meeting with the media in the visitors dugout for the first time, the infielder was asked about a number of different topics, including his relationship with shortstop Francisco Lindor .
Much has been made about the old double play duo over the years. They reportedly got into a scuffle during Lindor’s first year in Queens in which, according to the New York Post , the shortstop grabbed McNeil by the throat during the altercation in the tunnel. Then a few months ago it was reported that they also got into a “heated altercation” after McNeil had a defensive lap during a June 20 game last season in Philadelphia.
McNeil confirmed the latter on Friday, but did downplay it, insisting it was only a little argument and wasn’t a big deal. The 34-year-old didn’t think their relationship was what led to him being shipped out of town. “[Lindor] is a great guy and a good person and I enjoyed my time playing with him,” he said.
“I wish him all the best and he’s a great baseball player, one of the best shortstops to ever do it, so best of luck to him in the rest of his career. ” McNeil actually spoke to David Stearns following the Brandon Nimmo trade to Texas and thought he was going to have a role on this team moving forward, but they ended up having other plans. Now, he's set to take on the team that took a shot on him as a 12th round pick out of Long Beach State.
"It's a little different," he said. "I think I might've been on the visiting side one time, so this is all kind of new to me, but I still know a lot of the guys over there so it's pretty cool to be back at Citi Field. "