Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo Accuses New York Mets of Disregarding His Son Colin During Spring Training – NewsBreak
Chris Russo wasn’t specifically looking for Pete Alonso or Francisco Lindor. He just wanted someone from the New York Mets to talk with his son. But when Colin Russo’s request for an interview was turned down, Chris was furious.
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The elder Russo compared the Mets’ lack of response to the more media-friendly Washington Nationals, going off in a passionate rant about how ridiculous the team’s PR strategy is and what their real priorities are.
Chris Russo Calls Out New York Mets Public Relations for Denying His Son an Interview
On a recent episode of his SiriusXM show, “ Mad Dog Unleashed ,” Chris Russo expressed his frustration with the Mets’ PR strategy. He shared a story about how Colin and his co-host, Michael Rizzo, were live at Clover Park, the Mets’ spring training site, and had asked for interviews with players.
The Mets’ organization said no, stating that every player’s schedule was packed for the day. Russo didn’t buy that excuse, especially given his long experience in sports media.
According to Russo, the Mets’ PR responded with, “Hey Colin, understand the ask, but we can’t make that happen. Their schedules are full for the rest of the day.”
“You’re talking to me, who has been at spring training sites for 50 years. Don’t give me any nonsense that you can’t figure out a way to get Paul Blackburn or, you know, some backup infielder. Nobody’s asking for Alonso, Lindor, or [Juan] Soto. We get it. Nobody’s asking for Sean Manaea or Jeff McNeil, who’s hurt. We get it. And I understand there might be a language issue.
“But you mean to tell me that the New York Mets — again, I can kill them, it doesn’t affect my show — but you mean… I sound like LeBron, but I gotta say this because it drives me crazy. And to be fair, they went to the Nationals the other day, and they gave him Rizzo,” he added.
According to Russo, the Nationals set up a 15-minute interview for Colin and his co-host with Mike Rizzo, the team’s president.
His frustration peaked when he announced that he could no longer support the Mets, saying, “I just can’t stand them. Their PR always does this nonsense.”
Russo gained national fame as the co-host of the “Mike and the Mad Dog” show on WFAN in New York City. Over the last few years, he has been vocal about the Mets, often criticizing their play and the managerial decisions of Dave Roberts.
During the 2024 season, Russo made a bold statement, saying the Mets had “no chance” of competing.
Colin, meanwhile, co-hosts the “Russo and Rizzo Show” on ESPN West Palm with Rizzo, the son of well-known Cleveland sports radio figure Tony Rizzo. This gig has helped Colin carve out his niche in the industry.
