Mets fine Mickey Callaway and Jason Vargas for altercation with reporter
The New York Mets have issued discipline to both manager Mickey Callaway and pitcher Jason Vargas after both men were involved in a verbal altercation with a reporter, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said the team decided to fine both Callaway and Vargas for their actions. The team did not reveal the amounts of the fines. Van Wagenen said the confrontation with the reporter was “disappointing” and “regrettable,” according to DiComo.
Callaway and Vargas will not be suspended by the Mets. Van Wagenen does not expect Major League Baseball to step in and issue further discipline.
Callaway and Vargas both got into it with a reporter following Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Cubs. After the game, a reporter told Callaway he would see him tomorrow. Callaway interpreted that as sarcasm, and said, “Don’t be a smartass, motherf-----.”
Vargas then had a stare down with that reporter before saying, “I’ll knock you the f--- out, bro.”
Both Van Wagenen and Callaway spoke about the incident Monday. While Van Wagenen admitted “frustrations are high,” Callaway declined to give his side of the story.
"It was a misunderstanding, obviously," Mickey Callaway said of his role in last night's clubhouse altercation. pic.twitter.com/IisUOxEJu4
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 24, 2019
Callaway also said at least he wasn’t as bad as Billy Martin.
"Billy Martin punched a reporter one time...I'm a passionate guy about baseball, I'm a tough competitor" - Mickey Callaway pic.twitter.com/GOz6UFml7H
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 24, 2019
In a Metsian twist, that wasn’t the end of the story. Callaway wound up calling reporters back into the clubhouse to address the situation later.
This time around, Callaway said he apologized to the reporter and said he’s “not proud of” everything that has happened.
Here is Mickey Callaway's readdress of his address. He now says he apologized to the reporter he accosted at Wrigley Field, and regrets his actions. He did not take further questions. pic.twitter.com/v8vhoV66Kg
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 24, 2019
The 44-year-old Callaway is in the middle of his second season managing the Mets. He’s compiled a 114-126 record. As the Mets have plummeted down the National League East, calls for Callaway’s job have increased. The team sits at just 37-41.
Vargas, 36, has a 3.75 ERA over 60 innings. After a rough start, Vargas has pitched better lately. He has a 2.72 ERA in his past seven games.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
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