After Mets beat writer Tim Healey of Newsday was called a "motherfu--er" by Mickey Callaway and threatened by Jason Vargas -- who said he would knock Healey "the f--k out" -- Healey explained what happened before the incident.
Once Callaway was done with his postgame scrum after the Mets' loss to the Cubs on Sunday afternoon at Wrigley Field, Healey said "See you tomorrow, Mickey," as the manager walked by. "Don't be a smarta--" was Callaway's response to Healey, as Healey recounted to fellow Newsday writer David Lennon.
"I couldn't confidently tell you exactly what he said, but he said, 'You know we're going to be in a bad mood after a loss,' or something like that," Healey explained. "And I tried to tell him, I didn't mean anything by it. 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."
Once Vargas heard what was going on, he threatened Healey. Shortly after, Healey left the clubhouse.
"I was shocked, and at the same time trying to tell Vargas or Callaway or Ethan (Wilson), 'Hey, I didn't mean anything by it,' which might have been interpreted as aggression on my part," Healey recounted to Lennon. "I was in no way trying to be aggressive or antagonistic or anything. At that point in the day, I want to talk to (Edwin) Diaz and then leave, you know? What's the point in me trying to pick a fight?"
After the incident, the Mets issued a statement apologizing and added that they will be having "further discussions internally" regarding the events of Sunday afternoon.
Mets COO Jeff Wilpon also called Healey to apologize for the actions of Callaway and Vargas.
Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen is expected to be in Philadelphia when the Mets open a four-game series with the Phillies on Monday night.
