Mets’ Callaway, Vargas have confrontation with reporter

By: The Associated Press Posted: 6:00 PM CDT Sunday, Jun. 23, 2019 Last Modified: 9:57 PM CDT Sunday, Jun. 23, 2019

CHICAGO - New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway cursed at a reporter, and pitcher Jason Vargas had to be restrained from charging him during a confrontation in the team's clubhouse after a loss Sunday.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/06/2019 (2321 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CHICAGO – New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway cursed at a reporter, and pitcher Jason Vargas had to be restrained from charging him during a confrontation in the team’s clubhouse after a loss Sunday.

The dustup with beat writer Tim Healey of Newsday occurred after the Mets blew a late lead in a 5-3 defeat to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. There was no physical contact.

In a story published by Newsday on Sunday night, Healey said Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon called him “to apologize on behalf of the organization.”

New York Mets' Jason Vargas, right, is accompanied by manager Mickey Callaway as he leaves a baseball game during the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field, Sunday, June 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The incident followed a tense postgame news conference, when reporters asked Callaway repeatedly about his decision to stick with reliever Seth Lugo during the eighth inning instead of going to closer Edwin Diaz. Lugo allowed a go-ahead, three-run homer to Javier Baez.

After the news conference, Callaway walked past Healey and other reporters in the clubhouse. Healey told Callaway he would “see you tomorrow,” and Callaway responded by calling Healey an obscenity. Callaway walked away and then returned, cursing at Healey again 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 smart-ass.’

“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 stared down Healey and eventually tried to charge him. Players stepped in to restrain the veteran left-hander.

Healey left the clubhouse moments later. He said Wilpon called later in the evening to apologize.

“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 team also issued a statement.

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway (36) looks on from the dugout during a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves Wednesday, June 19, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

“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 behaviour from any employee. The organization has reached out and apologized to this reporter and will have further discussions internally with all involved parties.”

It’s been a trying season for the Mets following an aggressive off-season. The club is 37-41.

New York is set to open a four-game series at Philadelphia on Monday.

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