SiriusXM host Chris “Mad Dog” Russo was barking yesterday as the legendary sports talk show host took the New York Mets to task. Russo took aim at the National League club over an incident involving his son, Colin, who is also a radio host with ESPN West Palm.
The younger Russo’s program was broadcasting live from the Mets’ spring training facility in Port St. Lucie, FL, hoping to secure an interview with a player or coach while on-site. However, the Mets were unable to accommodate ESPN West Palm’s show, which features Michel Russo and co-host Mike Rizzo. As a result, Mad Dog launched into a nearly twenty-minute tirade, ripping the Mets organization for not granting the West Palm, FL-based station an opportunity to speak with a Mets player or member of the team’s personnel.
“You got a young kid, he’s on four to six, and you have a show there promoting the Mets,” explained the elder Russo on Mad Dog Radio. “Ah, go to hell. Your schedules are full for the rest of the day.”
As his frustration grew, Mad Dog escalated his rant, recalling the numerous times he had attended spring training camps and received ample assistance from team communications staff.
“Don’t give me any nonsense that you can’t figure out a way to get Paul Blackburn or the backup infielder,” shouted Chris Russo. “Nobody is asking for (Pete) Alonso, (Francisco) Lindor, or (Juan) Soto. We get it. Nobody is asking for Sean Manaea or Jeff McNeil, who is hurt. We get it. And I understand there might be a language issue.”
Building on his anger, Mad Dog declared that, because of this incident, he would be rooting for the Mets to lose every “fricking” game. He argued that it’s nearly impossible for an entire baseball team to be completely tied up with scheduling ahead of a night game.
“The Mets are the Mets. They are not the Boston Celtics. They are not the Green Bay Packers. They are the freaking Mets,” Chris Russo said. “Let me give you the most obscure guy I can come up with. You mean to tell me that José Butto can’t come on for five minutes? You mean to tell me Tylor Megill can’t come on? He might be in Syracuse to start the year!”
This is not the first time the New York Mets have drawn Mad Dog’s ire. As recently as last year, he was highly critical of the team for allowing Hailey Welch (a.k.a. Hawk Tuah Girl) to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before a game.
“They are here for two hours,” screamed Chris Russo. “You can’t do five minutes with them? And baseball wonders why ESPN said adios.”
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