"I know he did have a team meeting with them” - When Mets GM Omar Minaya opened up on Tony Bernazard’s fight challenge to minor league players
There have been a number of unique and downright bizarre moments in the history of the New York Mets. From Bobby Valentine getting ejected from a game only to come back with a fake mustache to Benny Agbayani giving a ball to a fan with less than three outs, allowing two runs to score, the club has a rich, albeit sometimes strange history.
While the incidents mentioned above were more comical in nature, when it came to former vice president of development Tony Bernazard, one such moment was not only strange but potentially dangerous. In 2009, the executive came under fire for reportedly challenging a number of minor league players to a fight, allegedly taking his shirt off during the incident.
Although fights and arguments are not uncommon in the sports world especially among teammates, cue Draymond Green punching Jordan Poole, it's rare to see an executive involved. Unsurprisingly, the reports that at Mets executive was challenging minor league players to a fight became a major headline, forcing general manager Omar Minaya to get involved.
"I know he did have a team meeting with them. It was not a 'you-guys-have-been-great meeting.' I know he spoke to them in a stern voice," Minaya said of the situation.
Tony Bernazard was fired from the New York Mets, never working on another MLB club after the now infamous moment came to the light.
"As far as what he was wearing, what kind of shoes he was wearing, I don't know anything about that," Minaya added.
The former infielder of the Chicago White Sox enjoyed a solid 10 year career in the MLB, but will forever be remember as the former VP of develop who tried to fight his players. This might be a case of no publicity is better than any publicity at all.
Despite Tony Bernazard being fired by the Mets, the story took another, perhaps even more bizarre turn
Ultimately, Bernazard was fired by New York, however, that's not the end of a rather puzzling chapter in the team's history. During a press conference, Omar Minaya said that the reporter who originally broke the story, Adam Rubin, had been attempting to land a development role with the club.
During the press conference, it seemed that Minaya was insinuating that Rubin has broke the story as an attempt to sabotage Bernazard and open the door for a potential gig. As things got heated between the the reporter and the general manager, Rubin called Minaya "despicable" for his implications.
Minaya would later apologize to Rubin, however, thanks to the internet, the damage was already done and that press conference will live on forever. Minaya remained with the New York Mets before taking on various roles with the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees.