May 1, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) reacts with manager Carlos Mendoza (64) after being tagged out at home to end the game while trying to score on a fly ball by second baseman Jeff McNeil (not pictured) during the ninth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field. The play was upheld after a video replay. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Chicago Cubs at New York Mets
(Queens, NY) – Before the start of this MLB season, the league made a point of letting it be known that umpires would be cracking down on the so-called “blocking rule”. That is to say – it’s always been against the rules for fielders to block the base without the ball – which can sometimes come into play on steal attempts, or often on plays at the plate.
That was especially true during the Mets’ Wednesday night loss to the Cubs. Jeff McNeil hit a weak, shallow fly ball to left field with the tying run on third base in the form of Pete Alonso. The Cubs made the relay throw home and Alonso – one of the slowest runners in MLB – was easily tagged out.
He actually should have been safe, as his hand arrived at the plate before the tag was applied – but it was elevated and had to be brought back down to actually touch home. Manager Carlos Mendoza challenged the play, partially arguing the “blocking rule” had been violated.
The MLB replay center ruled Alonso was tagged out – and that no violation of the rule had occurred. Then, SNY cameras showed that Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya was standing with one foot on the plate before receiving the relay throw. That’s not so unusual – catchers typically straddle the plate or stand with one foot on it before the throw arrives. Yet Mendoza noted in his postgame comments the league had sent around an email explaining the blocking rule crackdown – and one example of what’s not allowed including a catcher with one foot on the plate.
Unsurprisingly, Amaya said “they made the right call.” Mendoza disagreed, and told the umpiring crew on the field as much before the microphones were cut off.
“They send out a memo in spring training what’s legal and what’s illegal and it’s clearly on that email — that memo — that we got that catchers are not allowed to have their foot in front of the plate,” Mendoza explained. “On top of the plate, they cannot straddle without possession of the baseball. He was very clear that the guy had his left on top of the plate without the baseball. I think they got the wrong call.”
Oh well, the Mets have have gotten screwed. Someone tell Alonso to get that hand down when sliding – or better yet to slide feet first into home so as to speed up the arrival (doesn’t break stride) and avoid injury to hands, fingers, elbows, shoulders. Alonso is 6’3” 245 pounds.
NFL linebackers would sign up for those measurements. Yet he slides into home headfirst like he’s Rickey Henderson? Bizarre.
