One of New York City’s most recognizable radio voices rebuked the New York Mets for inviting the little girl ‘Hawk Tuah’ before Thursday’s loss to the Oakland Athletics.
Mike Francesa, former co-host of Mike and the Mad Dog on WFAN (from 1989 to 2008), questioned the Mets’ marketing strategy for having viral social media sensation aka Haliey Welch throw out the first pitch on “camp day” in front of kids at Citi Field.
“I know he’s in his 15 minutes of fame, he just struck a chord and went viral with a sleazy response to a man on the street’s questions,” Francesa, 70, said of Welch on his eponymous podcast Friday.
He added: ‘Knowing that’s the case, that her fleeting fame was due to something as suggestive as her answer, what on earth could have made the Mets take her to throw out the first pitch? And on the day of camp, to boot.
‘(…) You’ve heard me say on numerous occasions, and this continues during the change of ownership, that the Mets could ruin a one-car tunnel.’
Internet personality Haliey Welch has drawn criticism from one of New York’s biggest radio celebrities.
Francesca then hinted that the Mets employee who arranged for Welch to be on the mound was fired, though that was just pure speculation.
“Whoever in the marketing or promotion department decided it was a good idea to bring this girl in and glorify her and put her in the spotlight and let her throw out the first pitch, which completely destroyed them from coast to coast, what the hell are they thinking?” Francesa asked.
The Mets lost to the ‘Hawk Tuah’ girl in embarrassing fashion, considering they led 5-0 after three innings only to be outscored 7-6 for their fifth loss in their six games.
Mike Francesa, former co-host of Mike & the Mad Dog, questioned the Mets’ marketing
Francesa continued: ‘Can you imagine when the owner explains to his wife exactly who this girl is?’
Welch’s appearance at Citi Field sparked mixed reviews on social media.
A Mets reporter for Newsday also claimed he was not allowed to refer to Welch as the “Hawk Tuah” girl in his report of Thursday’s game.
Despite all that, Welch revealed that he was at the Mets game (his first time at a ballpark, too) to raise awareness for America’s Vet Dogs, a charity that helps place service animals with military veterans and first responders.