One of New York City’s most recognizable radio voices has reprimanded the New York Mets for inviting the “Hawk Tuah” girl before Thursday’s loss to the Oakland A’s.

Mike Francesa – former co-host of “Mike and the Mad Dog” on WFAN (from 1989 to 2008) – questioned the Mets’ marketing strategy of having viral social media sensation aka Haliey Welch throw out the first pitch on “Camp Day” in front of children at Citi Field.

“I know she’s having her 15 minutes of fame. She just hit a nerve and went viral with some smarmy answers to a guy on the street,” Francesa, 70, said of Welch on his eponymous podcast on Friday.

He added: “Knowing that her fleeting fame was due to something as salacious as her answer, what in the world would make the Mets let her throw out the first pitch? And on the day of training camp, no less.

“(…) You’ve heard me say many times – and I’ve said it again and again since the change of ownership – that the Mets could screw up a one-car tunnel.”

Internet personality Haliey Welch received criticism from one of New York’s biggest radio stars

Francesca later suggested that the Mets employee who made the arrangements for Welch to be on the mound was fired, but that was pure speculation.

“Whoever in the marketing or advertising department decided it would be a good idea to bring this girl in, glorify her, put her in the spotlight, and have her throw out the first pitch, which resulted in them being absolutely destroyed from coast to coast, what the hell were they thinking?” Francesa wondered.

The Mets lost in front of the “Hawk Tuah” girl in embarrassing fashion, considering they led 5-0 after three innings but then lost narrowly 7-6, their fifth loss in six games.

Mike Francesa – former co-host of Mike & the Mad Dog – questioned the Mets’ marketing

Francesa continued, “Can you imagine the owner explaining to his wife exactly who this girl is?”

Welch’s appearance at Citi Field sparked mixed opinions on social media.

A Mets reporter from Newsday also claimed that he was not allowed to refer to Welch as the “Hawk Tuah” girl in his report on Thursday’s game.

Despite all this, Welch revealed that she was at the Mets game – her first-ever visit to a baseball stadium – to raise awareness for the charity America’s Vet Dogs, which provides service animals for military veterans and first responders.