It turns out Ryan Garcia’s enormous popularity couldn’t save him from being booted out of yesterday’s game between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, the question is: Why did it happen? The thing is, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney came together at the Empire State Building just before the game, and something happened that many would have seen coming.
After bickering and the usual trash talk between the rivals, ‘The Dream’ Haney shoved Garcia in the face! So, after they reached Citi Field the same day, the Mets officials were worried something similar would happen if Haney and Garcia were allowed to throw the ceremonial pitch together. Hence, their decision to cancel the throw altogether. Fast forward to today, and Oscar De La Hoya, who was also asked to leave the stadium, appeared in an interview with Ariel Helwani, where he made an interesting revelation about the Mets’ owner.
Oscar De La Hoya was asked to throw the first pitch
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Speaking to the head of Golden Boy Promotions, Helwani quickly probed him about what happened. In response, De La Hoya stated, “Ryan [was] already in the VIP section, so I walked into the field—to the stadium… I came across the owner’s wife. We’re talking; she’s a big fan, and she speaks Spanish and everything. She’s excited to see Ryan and this and that and excited for them to throw out the first pitch.”
Bizarre scene tonight at Citi Field in New York, where Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia were scheduled to throw out the first pitch of Mets-Pirates. Mets officials pulled the plug on it after the fighters arrived, I'm told by sources w/direct knowledge, because they didn't want to…
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) April 16, 2024
That’s when De La Hoya learned about the concerns Mets officials had about the ceremonial throw involving Garcia and Haney. However, Oscar revealed, “They called it off, and I don’t think the owner knew that. So, I was kind of puzzled—what’s going on? I mean, Ryan was looking forward to it. He was practicing.”
Later in the interview, he also claimed, “Then [they] offered for me to throw out the first pitch. I was like, no. I [had] to respect Ryan, and that’s his moment. I can’t do that to my fighter.” When Helwani brought up Garcia’s frustration with the incident, Oscar said, “He was pissed because he was looking forward to it. He’s 25 years old. He’s never done that before, and he was looking forward to it.”
Speaking of an angry Ryan Garcia, here’s what he had to say after being shown the door during yesterday’s debacle.
Ryan Garcia urges fans to “don’t ever go to a Mets game again”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Over the past few months, this was the only instance when Ryan Garcia’s real emotions may have come to light. After the whole ordeal, the Victorville native quickly hopped on X to share a clip venting his frustration as he and Oscar were walking out of the Citi Fields. Garcia said, “So, guys, the Mets wasted three hours of our lives…”
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) April 16, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Moreover, he then added, “To say, at the end, ‘we can’t throw the pitch’ for whatever reason. There was no reason. They kicked us out for no reason. So, f**k the Mets; don’t ever go to a Mets game again.” However, this video wasn’t enough! A short while later, he launched a flurry of tweets at the Mets and the MLB as well.
In a nutshell, it seems like Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney’s own actions got the ceremonial throw canceled. However, the revelation from Oscar De La Hoya presents an interesting scenario. Would the owners apologize for the incident? Would Garcia and Haney get to throw the ball in their next game?