Veteran sports radio host Mike Francesa didn’t hold back when he talked 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.

Discussing the incident on “The Mike Francesa Podcast,” Francesa criticized decision-makers for inviting Welch to appear on “Camp Day” despite knowing that she had become internet famous in June after make an offensive remark 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, August 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 has her 15 minutes of fame – she just struck a nerve and went viral with a smarmy response to a question from a man on the street,” Francesa said in his nearly four-minute rant on the subject.

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“Knowing that this is the case, that there was something as salacious about her fleeting – and it will be fleeting – fame as her answer, I wonder: What in the world possessed the Mets to use her for first pitch? And on the day of training camp, no less.”

Many fans shared Francesa’s point of view, sparking a wave of backlash on social media.

“You’ve heard me say many times, and I continued to say it after the change of ownership, that the Mets could screw up a funeral with just one car,” he continued.

Viral internet personality Haliey Welch, left, reacts with a friend after throwing out 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” REACTS AFTER SHE DRAWS HUGE REACTIONS FROM METS FANS AFTER THROWING THE FIRST PITCH

“I would think that person didn’t answer the phone last night and took cover today while cleaning out their desk, whoever came up with that idea. Whoever in the marketing or advertising department decided it was a good idea to bring that girl in, glorify her, put her in the spotlight and have her throw out the first pitch, absolutely destroyed her from coast to coast.”

“It’s the kind of story that makes you shake your head and say, ‘What the hell are they thinking?’ And can you imagine the owner explaining to his wife exactly who this girl is?”

Welch addressed the controversy on social media on Friday, explaining that her appearance at the game was intended to spread an important message.

Haliey Welch performs at SiriusXM Studios in Los Angeles, California on July 31, 2024. (Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)

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“I guess some of the baseball community wasn’t too happy to see me yesterday,” she wrote in a post on X. “The main reason I went to the game was to raise awareness and donate to America’s Vet Dogs, which helps dogs with War veterans for a forever home.

“Join me in donating to this amazing charity. I miss you already, buddy.”

In the video she shared in 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 dedicated to providing service dogs to first responders and veterans with disabilities.

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