Mets Honor Jeff McNeil With Tribute Video Ahead of A's Return

The veteran second baseman was a longtime Mets player before being traded to Oakland in the offseason.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:05pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball game between the Mets and A's, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color, capturing the energy and drama of the matchup.A cubist interpretation of the emotional reunion between former Mets star Jeff McNeil and his old team as he returns to Citi Field with the Oakland A's.Oakland Today

The New York Mets played a tribute video honoring former player Jeff McNeil before the start of their series against his new team, the Oakland A's. McNeil, who spent 8 seasons with the Mets after being drafted by the team in 2013, was visibly moved by the video highlighting his career highlights in New York.

Why it matters

McNeil was a fan favorite during his time with the Mets, making the All-Star team in 2019 and 2021. His trade to the A's in the offseason was an emotional moment for both the player and the team's supporters, so the tribute video was a classy gesture to acknowledge his contributions.

The details

The video, which was played on the Citi Field scoreboard, featured highlights of McNeil's best moments with the Mets, including big hits, defensive plays, and interactions with the fans. McNeil's current A's teammates could be seen in the background watching the tribute, with manager Mark Kotsay also taking in the moment. In his first at-bat back in New York, McNeil received a standing ovation from the Mets faithful.

  • The tribute video was played before the start of the Mets-A's game on April 11, 2026.
  • McNeil was traded from the Mets to the A's during the 2025-26 offseason.

The players

Jeff McNeil

A veteran second baseman who spent 8 seasons with the New York Mets after being drafted by the team in 2013. He made the All-Star team in 2019 and 2021 before being traded to the Oakland A's in the offseason.

Mark Kotsay

The manager of the Oakland A's, who was seen watching the tribute video for Jeff McNeil.

Carlos Cortes

A former Mets prospect who is now playing for the Oakland A's.

Lawrence Butler

An Oakland A's player who was seen preparing for the game while the tribute video played.

Denzel Clarke

An Oakland A's player who was seen preparing for the game while the tribute video played.

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What’s next

The Mets and A's will continue their series at Citi Field, with former Mets prospect J.T. Ginn scheduled to pitch for Oakland against his former team.

The takeaway

The Mets' tribute video for Jeff McNeil was a classy gesture to honor a player who was a fan favorite during his 8 seasons in New York. Despite being traded to the A's in the offseason, McNeil's impact on the Mets organization and their supporters is still felt, as evidenced by the warm reception he received in his return to Citi Field.