Deleted Instagram video sparks FAA investigation of Giants amid turbulent restart season

We don’t know which round, but it seems reasonable to assume that the New York Giants and general manager Joe Schoen will select a new quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft. Many names have been proposed as potential G-Men candidates. Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and J.J. McCarthy were among the names mentioned in the first round. M

Could the New York Giants take a late-round gamble on Florida State’sichael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix are being considered as Day 2 possibilities, while Spencer Rattler may also be worth watching in the third round. But what if Schoen waits until Day 3? In a new NFL Mock Draft, The 33rd Team predicts that Big Blue will take Florida State’s Jordan Travis in round five.

The Colorado Rockies, a Major League Baseball team, have started the 2024 season with a disappointing record of 4 wins and 15 losses, marking their worst start in franchise history. This poor performance has placed them at the bottom of the National League standings, tied with the Miami Marlins. The team’s struggles on the field have contributed to a turbulent and challenging start to the season.

Amidst this difficult season, the Rockies faced additional turbulence when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and United Airlines initiated an investigation into a charter flight taken by the club on April 10. The investigation was prompted by a now-deleted Instagram video posted by the Rockies’ hitting coach, Hensley Meulens. In the video, Meulens appeared to be seated in the pilot’s seat during the flight, jokingly narrating that he was “flying the plane” and suggesting he would be “landing the plane.” This raised concerns about flight safety and protocol, leading to an official inquiry by aviation authorities and the airline.

United Airlines responded to the incident by issuing a statement expressing deep concern over the video and announcing the suspension of the pilots involved in the flight. The airline emphasized its commitment to safety and adherence to aviation regulations, underscoring the seriousness with which such matters are addressed within the industry.

Hensley Meulens, the hitting coach at the center of the controversy, has a distinguished background in baseball. After a playing career spanning 182 games across seven seasons with three different teams, Meulens transitioned to coaching. He started his coaching journey with the San Francisco Giants in 2010, where he served as the hitting coach until 2017, contributing to the team’s success in winning three World Series championships during his tenure.

In 2017, Meulens was a candidate for the managerial position with the New York Yankees before the team ultimately hired Aaron Boone. He later took on roles as the bench coach for the New York Mets in 2020 and as the assistant hitting coach for the New York Yankees in 2022, showcasing his versatility and experience within Major League Baseball.

Beyond his MLB career, Hensley Meulens has also been involved in international baseball. He managed the Netherlands team in various competitions, including the 2004 Summer Olympics and the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in 2009, 2013, and 2020. His extensive experience across different levels of baseball highlights his expertise and contributions to the sport.

Currently in his second season as the hitting coach for the Colorado Rockies, Meulens’ recent actions and the subsequent FAA investigation have garnered attention within the baseball community and beyond. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism and adherence to safety protocols, especially in high-profile settings like professional sports teams’ travel arrangements.

The Rockies organization and the MLB are likely to address the situation internally while cooperating with the FAA’s investigation and any additional inquiries from United Airlines. Ensuring compliance with aviation regulations and upholding safety standards will be paramount in resolving the matter and preventing similar incidents in the future.

In summary, the Colorado Rockies’ challenging start to the 2024 MLB season has been compounded by an FAA investigation into a flight incident involving their hitting coach, Hensley Meulens. The team’s poor performance on the field has been overshadowed by this off-field controversy, highlighting the broader responsibilities and expectations placed on professional sports organizations and their personnel.

Hensley Meulens’ background and contributions to baseball, both in the MLB and internationally, underscore his significance within the sport. However, the recent incident underscores the importance of professionalism and adherence to safety protocols, serving as a cautionary tale for individuals in high-profile positions. Moving forward, the Rockies will need to address the fallout from the incident while prioritizing compliance and safety in all aspects of their operations.