Veteran sports radio talk host Mike Francesa said: New York Mets‘ The decision to invite controversial internet personality Harry Welch to throw the first pitch at Thursday’s game against the Athletics.
Discussing the incident on “The Mike Francesa Podcast,” Francesa slammed decision-makers for inviting Welch to appear on “Camp Day” despite knowing that she had become internet famous in June. Make obscene remarks In a video that went viral on social media.
Harry Welch throws the ceremonial first pitch at the Oakland Athletics vs. New York Mets game at Citi Field on Thursday, August 15, 2024 in New York City, New York. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photo via Getty Images)
“I don’t know anything about this young woman. I know she’s only been famous for 15 minutes. She just captured people’s hearts and became a hot topic with her lewd answers to questions from ordinary people,” Francesa said in a lengthy rant about the subject that lasted nearly four minutes.
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“My question is, knowing that this was true and knowing that her fleeting, and likely fleeting, fame was as revealing as her answer, what prompted the Mets to pitch her out — on the first day of training camp?”
Many fans agreed with Francesca’s opinion, sparking a wave of backlash on social media.
“You’ve heard me say it many times, and it hasn’t changed with the change in ownership, that the Mets could ruin a car-load of funerals,” he continued.
Internet sensation Harry Welch (left) reacts with a friend after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the New York Mets and Oakland Athletics at Citi Field on Aug. 15, 2024 in New York City. (Jim MacIsaac/Getty Images)
‘Hawk Toa Girl’ responds after intense reaction from Mets fans following first pitch
“I think whoever came up with the idea wasn’t answering their phones last night and was running around cleaning up their desk today. Someone in marketing or promotions decided it would be a good idea to bring in this girl, praise her, put her in the spotlight and have her throw the first pitch. And with that idea, they were totally destroyed all across the country.”
“It’s the kind of thing that just makes you scratch your head and say, ‘What on earth were they thinking?’ And can you imagine the owner explaining to his wife exactly who this girl is?”
Welch addressed the controversy on social media Friday, explaining that his appearance at the game was to spread an important message.
Haley Welch appeared at SiriusXM Studios in Los Angeles, California on July 31, 2024. (Michael Thalberg/Getty Images)
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“So I guess some people in the baseball world weren’t too happy to see me yesterday,” she wrote in a post on X. “The main reason I went to the game was to spread awareness and donate to American Vet Dogs, which connects dogs with owners.” Veterans For an eternal home.
“Join me and donate to this great charity. I miss you already, buddy.”
In the video she shared with the post, Welch is introduced to Buddy, the Mets’ vet dog, who made his debut in May.
Sponsored by the Amazin’ Mets Foundation, America’s VetDogs is a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to first responders and disabled veterans.
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