New York Mets veteran threatens reporter in sweary clubhouse altercation
A MLB veteran has turned feral at a reporter and had to be held back as things got heated in the clubhouse post match.
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A 14-year veteran Major League Baseball pitcher has threatened a reporter in ugly scenes in Chicago.
The New York Mets’ starting pitcher Jason Vargas reportedly screamed “I’ll knock you the f**k out” and charged at Newsday reporter Tim Healey after his team’s 5-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The loss saw the Mets drop four games below .500 for the season and the locker room was no place for shenanigans.
The situation escalated when Mets manager Mickey Callaway cursed out the reporter.
Healey said in passing he would ‘see Callaway’ in the clubhouse 15 minutes after the post-game press conference.
During the presser, Callaway had been grilled about leaving pitcher Seth Lugo on the mound for more than 40 pitches, despite giving away a three-run home run, so the manager was already ticked off.
And it took an innocuous question to set him off.
Callaway reportedly told a public relations official to “get this motherf***er out of the clubhouse” after saying “don’t be a smart-ass”.
Healey attempted to explain he didn’t mean any offence before Callaway unleashed more curses on the reporter.
“Shut the f**k up, get out of my face. Get out of here,” Callaway said.
The 36-year-old Vargas then stepped in, staring down Healey and adding his own curses, before taking steps towards the reporter.
Teammates Carlos Gomez and Noah Syndergaard had to get between the two.
The team released a statement regarding the clubhouse incident.
“The Mets sincerely regret the incident that took place with one of our beat writers following today’s game in the clubhouse. We do not condone this type of behaviour from any employee. The organisation has reached out and apologised to this reporter and will have further discussions internally with all involved parties.”
The reporter also said he received an apology call from Mets COO Jeff Wilpon later on Sunday.
Originally published as New York Mets veteran threatens reporter in sweary clubhouse altercation