The New York Mets have reportedly apologized for a confrontation that took place in the team’s clubhouse following a loss on Sunday, according to ESPN.
According to reports, Mets manager Mickey Callaway cursed at beat writer Tim Healey of Newsday and Mets pitcher Jason Vargas challenged Healey to a fight and had to be restrained from charging him during the confrontation.
According to Healey, the Mets have apologized, with Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon called him “to apologize on behalf of the organization.”
Things boiled over when Callaway was repeatedly about his decision to stick with Mets’ reliever Seth Lugo during the eighth inning instead of going to closer Edwin Diaz., which resulted in Lugo allowing a go-ahead three-run homer to Chicago Cubs’ shortstop Javier Baez.
Following the new conference, Callaway walked past reporters, including Healey in the clubhouse, with Healey telling Callaway he would “see you tomorrow.”
Callaway responded by calling Healey a “m—–f—–“, walked away, but then came back cursing at Healey and telling him to leave the clubhouse.
“I thought he was leaving for the day, so I said, ‘See you tomorrow, Mickey,'” Healey said. “And then he said, ‘Don’t be a smartass.’
“I tried to tell him, I didn’t mean anything by it,” Healey added. “I was just saying, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’ And then he said, ‘Get this guy out of here,’ and that got the attention of Jason Vargas.”
Vargas reportedly (per Yahoo Sports) stared down Healey, then shouted at him saying “I’ll knock you the f— out, bro”.
Vargas than charged at Healey and had the be restrained by teammates Carlos Gomez and Noah Syndergaard, although no punches were thrown.
“He stressed the fact that I should feel comfortable being able to do my job at the ballpark and that moving forward, there’s no reason for me to feel uncomfortable,” Healey said. “I appreciated that sentiment from him, absolutely.”
The Mets issued the following statement:
“The Mets sincerely regret the incident that took place with one of our beat writers following today’s game in the clubhouse,” the statement said. “We do not condone this type of behavior from any employee. The organization has reached out and apologized to this reporter and will have further discussions internally with all involved parties.”