Alonso cites fictional coach, unhappy with Mets change
NEW YORK » Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor learned from phone messages that the Mets had fired hitting coach Chili Davis and assistant Tom Slater, a move that left players unhappy.
New York made the announcement late Monday night, two days after Alonso started to publicly mention the positive assistance of a new batting instructor — someone who, apparently, is fictional.
“I found out on Twitter while I was eating my postgame meal,” Alonso said, explaining he then talked to acting general manager Zack Scott and gave Davis and Slater hugs. “And then I cried at my locker a little bit.”
The slugging first baseman referred to the dismissed coaches as “Uncle Chili and Uncle Slate, I mean, they’re like family to us.”
“It really caught us all off guard,” Alonso said. “It’s confusing for me, and, listen, I respect everybody who made that decision. But to me, it just doesn’t make sense right now.”
Hugh Quattlebaum, the team’s minor league director of hitting development, was promoted to big league hitting coach. Kevin Howard, who was director of player development, was appointed the assistant hitting coach.
Manager Luis Rojas said the coaching changes were an “organization decision ... that’s the best way I can share it right now.”
The sudden moves, uncommon for this early in a season, were announced after a 6-5 loss at St. Louis.
“It broke my heart. I was sad,” Lindor said.
“It hurt me a little bit.”
While the Mets began Tuesday ranked ninth among the 30 teams with a .240 batting average, they were last in runs with 76 and homers with 18. Their .209 batting average with runners in scoring position was 29th and they were dead last with a .143 average with two outs and runners in scoring position.
After Saturday night’s 5-4 win at Citizens Bank Park, Alonso made a curious reference to the contributions of a new coach.
“We just made a nice, new hire: Donnie,” Alonso said then. “He’s a great hitting/slash approach coach. Donnie’s been great helping the team. I think Luis forget to mention Donnie. Donnie really helped us today, too.”
Pushed for Donnie’s last name, Alonso said: “I’ve got to ask that, I’ve got to ask Chili
— oh, Stevenson, I think that’s it.”
GIANTS 12, ROCKIES 4 » Brandon Belt hit a go-ahead single and a grand slam in a 10run first inning that propelled San Francisco over Colorado in a doubleheader opener.
CUBS 7, DODGERS 1 » Clayton Kershaw lasted just one inning in the shortest start of his stellar career while Kyle Hendricks pitched a complete game for Chicago in a win over Los Angeles in the opener of a split doubleheader.
BRAVES 6, NATIONALS 1 » Huascar Ynoa (3-1) hit a grand slam and allowed an unearned run and four hits in seven innings, leading Atlanta to a victory over Washington.
MARLINS 9, DIAMONDBACKS 3 » NL RBIs leader Jesús Aguilar delivered a tiebreaking single in a six-run eighth against Kevin Ginkel (0-1) as Miami beat Arizona.