New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza lost his cool — to say the least — after a game-ending call at home plate ended what turned into another loss, this time to the Chicago Cubs.
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In a tense bottom of the ninth inning, Mets slugger Pete Alonso attempted to tag up and score the potential tying run on a sacrifice fly. However, a precise relay throw reached Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya just as Alonso slid into home plate. The play unfolded in a flurry of motion, leaving fans and players alike holding their breath.
Despite Alonso's apparent effort to evade the tag, home plate umpire Charlie Ramos promptly signaled him out. This decision, reinforced after a lengthy review, sparked fury from Mets bench coach Carlos Mendoza. Mendoza's contention centered on the belief that Amaya had obstructed Alonso's path, impeding his ability to touch home plate.
Mendoza's animated protest saw him storm from the Mets dugout to confront crew chief Chad Fairchild, his impassioned argument echoing across the field. The intensity of the moment underscored the high stakes and raw emotions at play as the Mets suffered a bitter 1-0 defeat to the Cubs.
"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 said after the game. "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."
"That's bulls--t man!"
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza caught on the hot mic after the review on Alonso getting called out at home plate to end game was upheld pic.twitter.com/YjrWmrYG9a
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 2, 2024
Mendoza could be heard uttering the same word over about the call.
"Additionally, the Replay Official could not definitively determine that the runner contacted home plate prior to the catcher applying the tag. The call stands, and the runner is out."