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MLB places Mickey Callaway on ineligible list following sexual harassment investigation

Cassandra Negley
·WNBA and women's college basketball reporter
·3 min read

MLB placed Mickey Callaway on its ineligible list through at least the entire 2022 season after concluding its investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, the league announced Wednesday.

Callaway, who served as Mets manager from 2018-19, was most recently the Los Angeles Angels pitching coach. The club announced that it ended his employment shortly after MLB's announcement. The Athletic's Brittany Ghiroli and Katie Strang first reported on inappropriate behavior reportedly made by Callaway toward female reporters in February.

Manfred issued the following statement:

“My office has completed its investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by Mickey Callaway. Having reviewed all of the available evidence, I have concluded that Mr. Callaway violated MLB’s policies, and that placement on the Ineligible List is warranted.

"We want to thank the many people who cooperated with our Department of Investigations (DOI) in their work, which spanned Mr. Callaway’s positions with three different Clubs. The Clubs that employed Mr. Callaway each fully cooperated with DOI, including providing emails and assisting with identifying key witnesses.

"Harassment has no place within Major League Baseball, and we are committed to providing an appropriate work environment for all those involved in our game."

The Angels and Mets cooperated with the investigation, per MLB, as did the Cleveland Indians, where he was a coach from 2013-17. Callaway, 46, is immediately placed on the ineligible list and will remain there until the end of the 2022 postseason. He can then apply for reinstatement.

The Angels and Indians organizations each released statements immediately after MLB:

Callaway responds

Callaway also issued a statement shortly after placement on the ineligible list was announced.

"My family and I fully support MLB’s strong stance against harassment and discrimination and are grateful to the commissioner and his office for their thorough investigation,” the statement reads. “I apologize to the women who shared with investigators any interaction that made them feel uncomfortable.

"To be clear, I never intended to make anyone feel this way and didn’t understand that these interactions might do that or violate MLB policies.”

Callaway reportedly sent shirtless videos

Five women who covered or worked with Callaway spoke with The Athletic reporters early this year and described the behavior as "completely unrelenting" and "gross." They said he "preyed on women" and it was "the worst-kept secret in sports."

The Athletic reported that he made unwanted advances including sending shirtless videos of himself via text and requesting nude photos. He made comments on women's dress and appearance and reportedly stuck his crotch in one reporter's face during an interview.

The report included text exchanges of Callaway suggested reporters sleep nude, go out and "get drunk" with him and meet him in non-professional settings.

Callaway's lewd behavior reportedly widely known

In March, The Athletic reported that his behavior was widely known within the Cleveland and New York organizations. A former player said it dated back to at least 2010 in the minor leagues and intensified as he took on more power in higher positions.

Those interviewed said Callaway made inappropriate, sexualized comments about women, frequently spending time with them and even chatting up players' girlfriends in the stands. Via The Athletic:

"He made inappropriate, sexualized comments about women and pursued them relentlessly. He’d often ask fellow players 'where’s the beef?' and indicate he was on the prowl for attractive women, the player said. ('Beef' is a term used within some MLB clubhouses to refer to women, particularly those who are not spouses or partners of players.)"

While coaching in Cleveland, coaches' wives reportedly raised concerns with their husbands over his behavior.

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