Veteran sports radio host Mike Francesa didn't hold back when talking about the New York Mets' decision to invite controversial Internet personality Haliey Welch to throw out the first pitch in Thursday's loss to the Athletics.
Speaking about the incident on “The Mike Francesa Podcast,” Francesa criticized the decision-makers for inviting Welch to appear on “Camp Day,” knowing that she had shot to internet fame in June after making a lewd comment in a video that went viral on social media.
Haliey Welch throws out the first pitch during the game between the Oakland Athletics and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, in New York, New York. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
“I don't know anything about this… young lady. I know she's in her 15 minutes of fame; she just struck a chord and went viral with a sordid response to a question from an ordinary citizen,” Francesa said in her nearly four-minute speech on the subject.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“The question I have is, knowing that that's the case, that her fleeting – and it will be fleeting – fame was due to something as suggestive as her answer, what on earth could have made the Mets bring her in to throw out the first pitch? And on the day of camp, to boot.”
Many fans shared Francesa's point of view, which sparked a wave of negative reactions on social media.
“You've heard me say on numerous occasions, and this continues during the change of ownership, that the Mets could ruin a one-car funeral,” he continued.
Viral internet personality Haliey Welch (L) reacts with a friend after combining for the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the New York Mets and the Oakland Athletics at Citi Field on August 15, 2024, in New York City. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
'HAWK TUAH GIRL' RESPONDS AFTER PROVOKING STRONG REACTION FROM METS FANS AFTER THROWING OUT FIRST PITCH
“I think that person spent last night not answering the phone and today ran off to hide while cleaning out their desk. Whoever came up with that idea. 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.”
“It's the kind of situation that makes you shake your head and say, 'What the hell are they thinking? Can you imagine when the owner explains to his wife exactly who this girl is? '”
Welch addressed the controversy on social media on Friday, explaining that his appearance at the game was intended to help spread an important message.
Haliey Welch appears at SiriusXM Studios on July 31, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. (Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I'm guessing some members of the baseball community weren't too happy to see me yesterday,” he wrote in a post on X. “The main reason I went to the game was to raise awareness and donate to Veterinary Dogs of America, which matches dogs with war veterans for a forever home.
“Please join me in donating to this amazing charity. I miss you already, my friend.”
In the video he shared in the post, Welch meets Buddy, the Mets' vet dog, who made his debut in May.
Sponsored by the Amazin' Mets Foundation, America's VetDogs operates as a nonprofit foundation that works to provide service dogs to first responders and disabled veterans.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
