The New York Mets collapsed and blew a late lead against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, and tensions boiled over in the clubhouse afterwards.
With one out in the bottom of the eighth and the Mets up 3-2, and the Cubs put two men on with Javy Baez coming to the plate. Reliever Seth Lugo was allowed to face him and gave up a three-run home run that ultimately proved decisive as Chicago salvaged the series finale.
After the defeat, Callaway and starting pitcher Jason Vargas took offense to something said by a reporter, and things got heated.
Mickey Callaway and Jason Vargas just cursed out, and in Vargas case, challenged a reporter to a fight in the clubhouse.
— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) June 23, 2019
Mickey did not like a remark made by a reporter as he walked by in the clubhouse.
"Don't be a smartass, mother*******."
Later says: "get the **** put of here. We don't need that bull****"
— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) June 23, 2019
Vargas then got into a shouting match with the reporter, over a staredown, and said at one point: "Ill knock you the f*** out, bro."
He charged such reporter and had to held back by Gomez and Syndergaard.
— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) June 23, 2019
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the reporter in question was Newsday’s Tim Healey, and Callaway accused him of being an antagonist. Another reporter, Justin Toscano of The Record, indicated that Healey simply told Callaway that he’d see him tomorrow.
Incident started with Mickey Callaway cursing out Healey for being an antagonist.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) June 23, 2019
The reporter said: "See you tomorrow, Mickey."
Mickey: "Don't be a smart***." I heard him mouth "mother******" under his breath as he walked away. Then it continued when Mickey came back. He thought the reporter was "antagonizing" people. https://t.co/SigjUVG0D4
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) June 23, 2019
Earlier, Callaway had sparred with a different reporter over questions regarding his usage of closer Edwin Diaz.
Mickey says Diaz won't go 5 outs. Was defiant. Said that's their plan
When (I) asked if that plan needs to be malleable when guy had thrown 12 pitches in 8 days, he said: "Why? Because you think so?"
Also said Lugo can go 50 pitches.
— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) June 23, 2019
It certainly appears that frustrations have completely boiled over for the 37-41 Mets. The initial questioning, at least, was completely legitimate, and Callaway’s terse response was unwarranted. It’s unclear what was said to spark the major incident, but it’s a terrible look for the Mets. The manager had already been on the hot seat with some observers with a possible interest in the job being critical of what’s happening there, and this won’t help.
