Jeff McNeil's dog got her dad's home run ball from a Mets fan
New York Mets utilityman Jeff McNeil's dog Willow has been a social media sensation since her adoption last summer, and on Tuesday, got to take home a souvenir – a home run ball hit by her dad.
With Willow in attendance, McNeil homered in the first inning of the Mets' game against the Miami Marlins, his first home run of the spring.
A Mets fan ended up with the ball and gave it to Willow, who was sitting on the outfield berm with McNeil's wife Tatiana.
Last July, McNeil met the then-puppy during an event before a game at Citi Field and immediately wanted to adopt her, but said he had to clear it with his wife.
McNeil homered that night and used that as leverage to convince Tatiana.
“I persuaded her that, if I get the puppy, I might hit more home runs,” McNeil said.
McNeil, an All-Star in 2019, wound up hitting 14 home runs in 45 games after meeting Willow. He had only gone long nine times in his first 88 games of the year.