May be an image of 1 person and textHailey Welch threw the ceremonial first pitch at the Mets game – Source: Getty

The social media sensation Hailey Welch, better known as ‘Hawk Tuah’ girl, was invited for a ceremonial first pitch at Mets vs. Athletics this Thursday. The WFAN host Sal Licata expressed his anger at the move.

Welch became known to the public eye in June, after her hilarious appearance on a YouTube show, Tim & Dee TV. Even though many fans deemed it to be a funny move, Licata was disappointed by the choice and compared the team with their city rivals, the New York Yankees.

Licata said, to his co-host Brandon Tierney’s amusement, that while Aaron Judge and Juan Soto were breaking records for the Yankees, the Mets were relying on Grimace and ‘Hawk Tuah’ girl to generate headlines.

“Come on, bro, I can’t take it! I cannot take it anymore. It’s ridiculous. And then you wonder why fans get so ticked off and upset. It’s embarrassing. Is it the biggest deal in the world?” Licata said.

“No. Absolutely. Does it mean anything on the field? No. but that’s the problem. The product on the field isn’t good enough and you’re coming up with these silly gimmicks that are a laughingstock. It’s a joke. Hawk Tuah.”

The New York Mets lose longest nine-inning game of the pitch-clock era
MLB: Oakland Athletics at New York Mets - Source: ImagnMLB: Oakland Athletics at New York Mets – Source: Imagn
The New York Mets(62-59), trail Atlanta Braves by two games for the third NL wildcard spot after Thursday’s 7-6 loss against the Athletics. The Mets pitchers had their worst night of the season, as they walked 11 hitters, which is their most since 2020.

However, Jeff McNeil had a 10-pitch and 11-pitch at-bat, with Francisco Lindor also following up with a 10-pitch at-bat. The Oakland Athletics threw out 213 pitches at Citi Field. Despite the two Mark Vientos home runs and Luis Torrens’ two-run single, the Mets taated their fifth defeat in six games.

With Mets leading 3-0, the game took a turn when JJ Bleday came in hot with the first grand slam of his career. Shea Langeliers made it to the base five times, his second such feat in the last three games. The game went on for 3 hours and 45 minutes, which is the longest time taken to complete a nine-inning game in the pitch-clock era.

It also forced the teams to throw a combined 425 pitches, the most number of pitches in a nine-inning game this season.