Showalter Denies Lindor-McNeil Issues Amidst Reports

Former Mets manager Buck Showalter stated there were "never any issues" between Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil during his tenure (2021-2023), despite acknowledging their distinct personalities. Showalter recounted addressing their dynamic on his first day, finding no problems. However, reports from Mike Puma of the New York Post detail a "heated confrontation" between the two in June 2025 over a defensive lap, and a 2021 tunnel scuffle where Lindor reportedly grabbed McNeil by the throat, which Lindor humorously attributed to a debate about a "New York rat."