Mickey Callaway, the current pitching coach of the LA Angels, has been accused by five women in sports media for making unwanted sexual advances over the course of at least five years. The Atlantic reported the allegations on Monday night and, while the women remained anonymous, included a series of accounts in which Callaway acted inappropriately. The former Mets manager has been accused of a series of unsuitable behavior including sending lewd messages and unwanted photographs to female reporters. One recounted that Callaway “thrust his crotch near the face of a reporter as she interviewed him,” while another said he offered “inside information” in exchange for getting drunk with him.
“Rather than rush to respond to these general allegations of which I have just been made aware, I look forward to an opportunity to provide more specific responses,” Callaway wrote in a statement to The Athletic. “Any relationship in which I was engaged has been consensual and my conduct was in no way intended to be disrespectful to any women involved.”
The Angels, with whom Callaway was still employed with as of Tuesday, said that they will be taking the allegations seriously “and will conduct a full investigation with MLB.” The MLB has not yet publicly announced an investigation; however, USA Today reports that an anonymous high-ranking official told the publication that the league will be launching an immediate investigation.
Callaway spent two seasons as manager of the New York Mets before being fired in October of 2019. The Mets told The Athletic that they had learned of an “incident” well into his first season with New York; however, they did not provide any other details. “The conduct reported in The Athletic story is completely unacceptable and would never be tolerated under my ownership,” said Mets owner Steve Cohen in response to the report. One of the women in the report referred to Callaway’s behavior as “the worst-kept” secret in sports.
Mets President Sandy Alderson denied any knowledge of lewd behavior from Callaway. “I was appalled by the actions reported today of former manager Mickey Callaway,” Alderson said. “I was unaware of the conduct described in the story at the time of Mickey’s hire or at any time during my tenure as general manager.” In regard to former General Manager Jared Porter who was fired in response to sexual harassment claims, Alderson admitted recently that no women were involved in the hiring process and said, “That’s one of the unfortunate circumstances that exist in the game today, there aren’t women in those positions with whom one can have a conversation with and develop information or check references.”
Callaway retired from playing in the Major league in 2004 after playing for five seasons for Tampa Bay, Anaheim, and The Texas Rangers.
