Mets’ McNeil hopes HR convinces wife to OK puppy adoption

By: Jake Seiner, The Associated Press Posted: 10:00 PM CDT Friday, Jul. 26, 2019 Last Modified: 10:08 PM CDT Friday, Jul. 26, 2019

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NEW YORK - Mets All-Star Jeff McNeil was working the phone Friday, hoping to acquire a promising, four-pawed prospect with the trade deadline looming.

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NEW YORK - Mets All-Star Jeff McNeil was working the phone Friday, hoping to acquire a promising, four-pawed prospect with the trade deadline looming.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/07/2019 (2284 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEW YORK – Mets All-Star Jeff McNeil was working the phone Friday, hoping to acquire a promising, four-pawed prospect with the trade deadline looming.

A ruff negotiation, indeed.

McNeil video chatted with his wife, Tatiana, from Citi Field prior to a game against the Pirates, pleading to bring home a puppy brought to the ballpark by the North Shore Animal League. With his spouse uncertain, McNeil clubbed a three-run homer in New York’s 6-3 win over Pittsburgh — just the leverage he thinks he needed.

New York Mets' Jeff McNeil rounds first base after hitting a three-run home run, also scoring Amed Rosario and Zack Wheeler, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, July 26, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

“Hitting a home run after holding a puppy, I think that gives me a little bargaining chip,” McNeil said. “My wife wants more homers, then we have to get a puppy.”

McNeil, who leads the majors with a .340 batting average, said the couple planned to visit the puppy together Saturday and then make a decision.

He and his teammates took turns greeting the rescued dogs, who were held in a pen outside the home dugout during batting practice. McNeil fell hard for a pup with a fuzzy blond coat and a dark face.

The canine was the first thing on his mind after he hit his 10th homer of the season a few hours later.