Why Mets' Pete Alonso had to apologize after bat flipping a game-winning homer
We firmly believe that baseball players should never have to apologize for having fun on the field. However, when that fun nearly leads to an on-field beaning, an apology is certainly warranted.
That was the situation New York Mets rookie Pete Alonso faced during Tuesday's game against the San Diego Padres.
The slugging first baseman continued the impressive start to his MLB career by launching a 449-foot go-ahead home run that held up as the difference in New York's 7-6 victory at Petco Park.
However, his bat-flip celebration nearly landed him in hot water after a malfunction almost resulted in home plate umpire Bill Miller getting taken out by his bat.
On Wednesday, Alonso revealed details of the stern talking to he received from Miller after rounding the bases. He also revealed that he was quick to apologize for the misfire.
Home-plate umpire Bill Miller said something to Pete Alonso about this when Alonso got back to home.
Alonso: "He’s like, ‘Hey, that almost hit me.’ I’m like, ‘Look, I’m really sorry, it got stuck to my hands. It won’t happen again.’ It’s a common mistake." https://t.co/ijAFYOwsHx— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) May 8, 2019
"He’s like, ‘Hey, that almost hit me," Alonso recalled before revealing his response.
"Look, I’m really sorry, it got stuck to my hands. It won’t happen again.’ It’s a common mistake."
We don't know that it's a "common mistake," but there have been close calls before. Most notably, serial bat flipper Yasiel Puig almost took out a catcher and an umpire on a bat flip in 2014.
And that one wasn't even for a home run. It was for a walk.
As for Alonso, we can't really blame him for being so pumped. Prior to the game he had labeled it a must-win for New York. It was fitting for him to be the one who capped their comeback from what had been a three-run deficit.
It also came one day after a contentious matchup with fellow rookie Chris Paddack, who called him out after Alonso was named Rookie of the Month for April. Paddack won the battle, holding Alonso hitless in four at-bats while striking him out three times.
To Alonso’s credit, we’d say he handled the bat flip situation very well by taking the time to apologize to Miller. But for a guy we expect will hit several more memorable home runs during his career, we don’t think he should be promising this won’t ever happen again.
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