Breaking news
16:32 p.m. PT – Van Wagenen just released a statement on the video … explaining that it was actually Wilpon’s idea to play an hour later, not Manfred’s.
“Jeff Wilpon called Commissioner Manfred this afternoon to inform him that our players voted not to play,” the statement said.
“They discussed the challenges of re-planning the game. Jeff came up with an idea for playing a game an hour later. I do not understand that this was the commissioner’s idea. In fact, this was Jeff’s suggestion.”
“The players had already made their decision, so I feel that the suggestion was not useful. My frustration with the Commissioner was wrong and unfounded.”
“I apologize to the Commissioner for my disrespectful remarks and bad judgment in the invalid description of the contents of his private conversation with Jeff Wilpon.”
Shocking hot mic video from general manager of NY Mets Brodie Van Wagenen trash MLB commish Rob Manfred about a proposed stunt for social justice … saying Manfred “just does not get it.”
Van Wagenen spoke to people on the Mets media podium on Thursday – and clearly does not realize that the microphones are.
Enhanced audio version of the leaked video that @ NickCocco18 originally posted and revealed that Manfred and MLB are trying to make a moment and make the Mets a game they do not want to play. pic.twitter.com/ziAuDioI1O
– Rich MacLeod (@richmacleod) August 27, 2020
@richmacleod
He goes into detail about a conversation with Manfred in which the Commish proposed a compromise in which Mets players make a symbolic gesture to Jacob Blake shoots during Thursday’s game … but then finally play the game instead of boycotting.
Van Wagenen says that Manfred’s proposal went like this – “You know what would be really great? If you took them all off the field [at 7:10], then they leave the field and then they come back and play at 8:10. “
Van Wagenen claims he turned back against Manfred’s plan – tells Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, “Jeff, that’s not happening.”
Van Wagenen says he made it clear that the player would not play – but explained: “That’s Rob’s instinct. And, Rob – just what you and I are talking about – at leadership level he does not get it. He just does not understand . “
“Anyway, we’re waiting – Jeff wants to hear, as soon as we hear from the Marlins, whatever we do we need to coordinate with the Marlins. So as soon as we hear Rojas ‘Conforto – Miguel Rojas – let me know.’ Jeff is responsible for this call … “
We are going to MLB for comment. So far, no word back.
Originally Posted – 15:26 PM PT
