ESPN New York host Don La Greca has been having a tough time as a Mets fan this season, so when a caller phoned into Monday’s edition of “The Michael Kay Show” he wasn’t having any of their complaints about the Yankees who won two of three games over the weekend.
It was Walt from New Jersey who sent La Greca into a tailspin after complaining about the Yankees not winning “early enough” and why they didn’t bunt.
La Greca politely thanked the New Jersian for his call before beginning to tear into the comments.
“People don’t realize they award extra points if you win the game earlier in the contest,” the ESPN New York radio host said sarcastically. “So I’ve got a team that stinks! I got a team that can’t catch fly balls. I’ve got pitchers that can’t fire strikes. I’ve got guys that can’t run bases. It’s the bad news bears redux, with a major league team that’s got the highest payroll in the history of sports.
“And I’ve got people, grown men calling this show complaining the Yankees aren’t winning early enough in games. Screw! Go scratch yourself. I’m tired of it! Big babies. Big whiney little crying babies. Spoiled brats.”
La Greca, who was co-hosting with Peter Rosenberg, went on to point out that the Yankees had just won two straight games over the Texas Rangers and were keeping their heads above water without injured superstar Aaron Judge.
“I’ve got a bunch of guys where it’s like they’re humping a football instead of actually playing baseball,” the infuriated La Greca added about his Mets.
The radio host then directed his producer to thank any other Yankee fan that calls in to complain about their ball club, but to then tell them to “go away.”
Rosenberg attempted to move the conversation forward, but La Greca continued his tirade by pointing out that it was only 20 percent of the reaction he had in the pre-show meeting.
But it was the comment about the Yankees’ lack of bunting that reignited La Greca’s anger.
“Why aren’t they bunting? Do you watch baseball?” La Greca asked rhetorically before chastising the caller for not remembering which player it was that didn’t bunt.
“You don’t even know who it was. You’re just complaining to hear yourself complain. You’re complaining they didn’t bunt, he couldn’t remember who the guy who didn’t bunt (was). … You watched the game. You had your face against the freakin television screen and you can’t remember who didn’t bunt! Yet you call and sit on hold for 20 minutes and you don’t know!”
Considering where the Mets stand right now as the MLB nears the month of July, it’s easy to understand La Greca’s frustrations.
The Mets suffered one of their most crushing losses of the season over the weekend and sat 15 games back of the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves and eight games back of a wild-card spot entering Monday’s action.
Manager Buck Showalter has also found himself sitting in the hot seat as the Mets’ season has spiraled downward.
That being said, La Greca has become known for his on-air meltdowns and explosions over the years on ESPN New York.
Last year, La Greca went off on another Yankees caller who labeled a statement the host made about then-struggling Yankee Joey Gallo “one of the most moronic comments I’ve ever heard.”