The Mets have fined manager Mickey Callaway and veteran lefty Jason Vargas for their roles in a clubhouse confrontation with a beat writer following the team's loss to the Cubs on Sunday. The fines are reportedly $10,000 apiece and Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen called the incident "disappointing."
BREAKING: The Mets are fining both Mickey Callaway and Jason Vargas for their roles in last night's clubhouse altercation, but issuing no suspensions, according to general manager Brodie Van Wagenen.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 24, 2019
Van Wagenen called the altercation "disappointing" and "regrettable."
Mickey and Vargas were fined $10,000 each, a source confirmed.
— Laura Albanese (@AlbaneseLaura) June 24, 2019
According to multiple reports, Newsday's Tim Healey concluded a conversation with Callaway by saying "see you tomorrow, Mickey," which Callaway seemingly interpreted negatively following a tough loss to the Cubs. Callaway then cursed at Healey and ordered him removed from the Wirgley Field clubhouse. Vargas at that point exchanged words with Healey and threatened him with physical violence. Details:
Mickey Callaway told a reporter to leave the clubhouse, calling the reporter a motherfu**er multiple times.
— Deesha Thosar (@DeeshaThosar) June 23, 2019
"Don't be a smartass, motherfu**er*," Callaway said.
Jason Vargas, defending his manager, said "I'll knock you the f**k out, bro."
Healey provided his version of events in a recent Newsday piece. As for Callaway:
Mickey Callaway was anything but contrite in addressing last night's incident. Given multiple opportunities to apologize publicly, he declined each time. Callaway essentially said what he regrets was being in that place at that time.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 24, 2019
More from Callaway:
"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
For their part, the Mets issued a statement of apology on Sunday evening and now have decided to discipline Callaway and Vargas.
Callaway's job security has been an issue pretty much since GM Brodie Van Wagenen took the reins this past offseason. This incident in tandem with the Mets' disappointing season to date (Callaway is 114-126 as Mets manager since the start of the 2018 season) very likely makes his seat even hotter. On that front:
Van Wagenen, when asked if this alters his view of Callaway’s ability to handle the pressure of this market: “My confidence remains the same in Mickey’s ability to do his job.”
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) June 24, 2019
That's not exactly a ringing endorsement -- and if you parse it carefully, it's not even a compliment -- but it does imply that Callaway isn't going to be fired right away. As things add up, though, it's hard to imagine his finishing the season as Mets manager.