Callaway, Vargas spark latest embarrassing moment for the Mets

by Tim Reilly June 24, 2019 0 Comments

It’s not a real season for the Mets until some serious off the field drama takes place. Well, that day came Sunday. New faces, same old Mets.

After suffering just an absolutely brutal loss to the Cubs, Mickey Callaway finally broke down. Yet another spoiled Jacob deGrom start by the bullpen is what helped put him over the edge. Should Callaway have given Lugo the yank earlier? Probably. But he didn’t and he was clearly still bothered by what went down following the game.

Newsday beat writer Tim Healey reportedly said “see you tomorrow” to Callaway after his post-game pow-wow with the media. I wasn’t there so I can’t tell you what tone he used. From Callaway’s reaction, you would think it was said in some smartass manner. Callaway lost his cool and went off on Healey. The fact is, it doesn’t really matter how Healey said it or what his intentions truly were, though I seriously doubt he was taking a jab at Callaway. You simply cannot challenge someone in the media (or anyone else) over something as small as this. You just can’t be this thin skinned in New York.

Here’s how the incident went down, as told by those who witnessed it.

Incident started with Mickey Callaway cursing out Healey for being an antagonist.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) June 23, 2019

Callaway told the public relations staff to “Get this motherf—-er” out of the clubhouse and when Healey didn’t leave, Vargas got into a stare down with him. Words were exchanged and Vargas had to be restrained from him.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) June 23, 2019

Puma said Jason Vargas “took steps forward towards Healey out of nowhere.” Added, “this is 22 years of covering baseball for me and I’ve never seen a player go after a reporter. I was stunned.”
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) June 24, 2019

Mike Puma on WFAN: “Honestly at that point [when Healey said “see you tomorrow”] I think Mickey was just looking for anything to jump on him. He could have said anything to Mickey and it would have sparked a reaction.”
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) June 24, 2019

Jason Vargas out of nowhere! On the one hand, it’s great to see some fight in the players and know that they still have the managers back. On the other, I don’t think Vargas is the guy I want coming with me into a fight, and I definitely don’t want the media to be the opponent. With all the shit Vargas has probably read about himself from the media, and yours truly, I’m sure Vargas has been patiently waiting for his chance to fight back. This just wasn’t the right fight…

The new Bash Brothers. pic.twitter.com/voucCoXk3D
— Tim Reilly (@LifeOfTimReilly) June 23, 2019

Let’s face it, the Mets have been the media’s punching bag for seemingly the last 30 years. I’m not just talking about the NY sports beat, I’m talking about nationwide, in and out of the sports industry. A Mets joke is a cheap, surefire way to get a laugh out of people. It has almost become too easy over the years. The Mets are in the wrong business because Hollywood would kill for joke writers this good.

Callaway doesn’t deserve sole blame for the disappointing start this season. Brodie put together a team full of flaws. Some of the roster is greatly underperforming. Callaway has made his share of costly decisions. Ownership has not lived up to their end of the bargain by supplying this team with all the resources they need to build the best team possible. Right now they can stand in a circle and point at each other with blame.

Here is the Mets official statement.

Mets statement: pic.twitter.com/NiM8GRcM98
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) June 24, 2019

Might as well sent out the gif of Mr. Met giving the finger. That’s sure what it feels like this team keeps doing to its fan base.

The Mets continue to hand this material on a silver platter for all to feast on. Mets fans have been served the same meal day after day, year after year and I can’t look at this dish anymore. It’s cooked up by new faces each year but continues to taste the same, and I’m tired of it.

Mickey Callaway preached showing an abundance of love during his introductory press conference. What I think he really meant was “We’re going to show love to everyone except that Mother F***** Tim Healey.”

During Mickey Callaway's introductory press conference, he shared some thoughts on how he intends to treat the media.

And then the Mets happened. pic.twitter.com/R8zbb7COTu
— Ƒunhouse (@BackAftaThis) June 24, 2019

P.S. The Mets are only 3.5 back of the second Wild Card spot. Why can’t I quit you?