Angels suspend Mickey Callaway, pending investigation, after multiple harassment allegations emerge

Mickey Callaway, the former New York Mets manager who was accused by multiple women of sending sexually suggestive messages and making inappropriate advances, was suspended Tuesday by the Los Angeles Angels, who said in a statement they will continue working with Major League Baseball to conduct an investigation. 

Callaway, 45, was hired as the Angels' pitching coach in October 2019, weeks after his dismissal following two seasons as manager of the Mets. Five women journalists, in a story published Monday by The Athletic, accused Callaway of inappropriate behavior, ranging from sharing shirtless photos and videos, to incessant text messages and offering to share information if the person "got drunk" with Callaway. 

The accusations date to Callaway's stint as Cleveland Indians pitching coach from 2013-2017 and continued through his stint as Mets manager in 2018-19. He continued contacting some of the women into 2020, even as he'd moved on to serve as pitching coach with the Angels. 

"He just preyed on women," said one of Callaway's accusers, who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity. 

Callaway was the Angels' pitching coach in 2020. (Photo: Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports)

Callaway's inappropriate actions – which included asking women for explicit photos – were detailed as far back as 2015, and the women involved categorized his behavior as something of an open secret within the game. Yet Callaway continued to get desirable jobs, first with the Mets and the Angels. 

The revelations struck a particular chord in New York, where the Mets on Jan. 19 fired general manager Jared Porter just 37 days after hiring him, following an ESPN report that detailed his aggressive harassment of a foreign reporter that included unwanted advances and explicit photos.  

METS: Jared Porter fired as GM after harassing texts to female

MLB: Callaway investigated for inappropriate messages, photos to female reporters

Mets president Sandy Alderson hired both Callaway and Porter, and in both instances claimed he was not aware of either's potential past indiscretions.

"I was appalled by the actions reported today of former manager Mickey Callaway," Alderson said in a statement released by the club Monday night. "I was unaware of the conduct described in the story at th time of Mickey's hire or at any time during my tenure as General Manager. We have already begun a review of our hiring processes to ensure our vetting of new employees is more thorough and comprehensive." 

The Indians struck a similar tone, saying Monday they were "made aware for the first time tonight of the allegations in The Athletic regarding Mickey Callaway’s behavior towards women. We are currently reviewing the matter internally and in consultation with Major League Baseball to determine appropriate next steps."

Porter acknowledged sending inappropriate texts to the reporter; Callaway told The Athletic that "any relationship in which I was engaged has been consensual, and my conduct was in no way intended to be disrespectful to any women involved."

Callaway pitched five seasons in the major leagues with the Angels, Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers from 1999-2004. He rose quickly in the Indians' organization after joining them as a Class A pitching coach in 20.

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