Mickey Callaway, Angels pitching coach, accused of sexually inappropriate behavior

The Los Angeles Angels suspended pitching coach Mickey Callaway on Tuesday following a report by The Athletic alleging Callaway sent inappropriate pictures and unprompted texts to at least five female reporters over a span of at least five years.

In a wide-ranging report by The Athletic, one woman, who spoke out on the condition of anonymity, accuses Callaway — who was the New York Mets manager for two seasons — of “thrusting his crotch near her face” while the reporter was conducting an interview with Callaway.

Another reporter claims Callaway said he’d share information about his former team the Mets if the journalist got drunk with him.

Two of the women interviewed said they had been warned about Callaway’s repeated inappropriate behavior, according to The Athletic. One reporter told the publication that Callaway’s lewd behavior “was the worst-kept secret in sports.”

CNN has made repeated attempts to contact Callaway for a comment, including inquiries through the Angels.

The Athletic reports that Callaway offered the following statement when presented with the accusations:

“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. 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. I am married and my wife has been made aware of these general allegations.”

Major League Baseball (MLB) told CNN that it is launching an investigation into Callaway.

Earlier on Tuesday, MLB released a statement saying it had “never been notified of any allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior by Mickey Callaway.”

The Angels say they will work with the league office in its inquiry into the allegations.

“The behavior being reported violates the Angels Organization’s values and policies,” the team stated.

Callaway was the Mets manager during the the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Sandy Alderson, who has served as the team’s president since last year and served as its general manager from 2010-2018, said in a statement he “was appalled by the actions reported.”

“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. We have already begun a review of our hiring processes to ensure our vetting of new employees is more thorough and comprehensive,” Alderson said in a statement.

In a Monday statement, the Mets’ new owner Steve Cohen said: “The conduct reported in The Athletic story today is completely unacceptable and would never be tolerated under my ownership.”

The Cleveland Indians, who employed Callaway as a pitching coach for five seasons between 2013-2017, said in a statement they were made aware of the allegations against Callaway for the first time Monday.

“We are currently reviewing the matter internally and in consultation with Major League Baseball to determine appropriate next steps,” the team’s statement read. “Our organization unequivocally does not condone this type of behavior. We seek to create an inclusive work environment where everyone, regardless of gender, can feel safe and comfortable to do their jobs.”