SNY

WFANs Sal Licata was angry at the New York Mets after the team invited the viral “Hawk Tuah Girl” to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The woman — real name Hailey Welch — became an overnight internet sensation thanks to a video posted on TikTok. In the video, Welch said “Hawk tuah” to simulate spitting during oral sex. The phrase briefly took over social media and led to Welch making several public appearances across the country.

The Mets wanted to capitalize on the viral hype and had her throw out the first pitch before Thursday’s game against the Oakland Athletics.

Hailey Welch throws the first pitch at today’s Mets game pic.twitter.com/1iu8MzIlbz

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) 15 August 2024

For Licata, a Mets fan, this was proof that his team and the rival Yankees were heading in opposite directions.

“The Yankees have Aaron Richter And Juan Soto Break records!” he said on WFAN Sports Radio. “(Babe Ruth), (Lou Gehrig), (Mickey Mantle); and the Mets have grimace and now ‘Hawk Tuah’! Come on, bro! I can’t take this anymore! I can’t take this anymore! It’s ridiculous! And then you wonder why the fans are so mad and upset! It’s embarrassing!

“Is this the biggest deal in the world? No, absolutely not. Does it mean anything on the field? No, but that’s the problem! The product on the field is not good enough and you come up with these silly gimmicks that are a laughing stock! This is a joke, ‘Hawk Tuah’.”

.@sal_licata completely loses it after seeing the “Hawk Tuah girl” throw the Mets’ ceremonial first pitch 😂 pic.twitter.com/yiqo7zVfOz

— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) 15 August 2024

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