News: Tim Healey Explains Role In Mets’ Clubhouse Fireworks

After yesterday’s clubhouse fireworks, Mets’ beat reporter Tim Healey of Newsday explained what happened during his altercation with Manager Mickey Callaway and starter Jason Vargas. Healey said the conflict began with a misunderstanding over a comment he made to the Mets’ skipper.

“Mickey came out of his office, dressed, and 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-***.” (David Lennon, Newsday)

According to other reporters present, Callaway directed more expletives at Healey. But Healey said he did not hear them because “he was standing about ten feet away.”

Healey said that he tried to explain to Callaway that he didn’t mean anything by his remark, but the situation only escalated from there.  Callaway said that he wanted Healey out of the clubhouse, which Vargas overheard. According to Healey, Vargas stared him down for what “seemed like roughly 45 seconds,” and soon threatened him. Healey said that he only had asked Vargas if “everything was OK or if there was something he wanted to say.”

“He said, ‘I’ll knock you out right here,’ and then took a couple of steps toward me,” Healey said. “Some people said charged — charged is super-strong.”

The conflict ended there as Vargas was held back by Noah Syndergaard and Carlos Gomez, while Mets’ media relations manager Ethan Wilson got in between Healey and Vargas. Healey said he walked away at that point.

“I was shocked, and at the same time trying to tell Vargas or Callaway or Ethan, ‘Hey I didn’t mean anything by it,’ which might have been interpreted as aggression on my part. I was in no way trying to be aggressive or antagonistic or anything. At that point in the day, I want to talk to Diaz and then leave, you know? What’s the point in me trying to pick a fight?”

Healey said Mets’ COO Jeff Wilpon called him to apologize for what happened.

“Jeff Wilpon called me (Sunday) evening to apologize on behalf of the organization,” Healey said during a telephone interview. “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. I appreciated that sentiment from him, absolutely.”

It was a stunning end to what started out as such a promising day for the Mets. Reigning Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom put the team in position to win with nine strikeouts over six innings of two-run ball, while Pete Alonso smashed the Mets’ rookie home run record with 27 dingers to pass Darryl Strawberry in the record books.

But all this excitement came to a crashing halt once Javier Baez crushed what would be the game-winning home run in the eighth inning off the laboring Seth Lugo. Callaway did not remove Lugo from the game, even though he didn’t have his best stuff, and had All-Star closer Edwin Diaz in the bullpen.

Reporters grilled Callaway on his decision not to use Diaz in such a pivotal spot, as Chicago’s best hitters  – Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Baez –  were up to bat that inning. Callaway’s decision backfired, and it sparked another meltdown by the Mets’ struggling bullpen that leads the MLB in blown saves with 16.

After yesterday’s debacle, General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen will travel to Philadelphia to be with the team as they begin their series with the Phillies today. The Mets also released this statement last night about 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,” the statement said. “We do not condone this type of behavior from any employee.”