Ron Darling rips the Mets after another mental mistake on the field
JJ Bleday of the Cincinnati Reds scores a run during the sixth inning past David Peterson of the New York Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Ron Darling has seen enough.
The SNY announcer and 1986 World Series champion went off on the Mets after a mental mistake in a 7-2 loss to the Reds on Tuesday night.
Pitcher David Peterson earned Darling’s ire when he failed to back up a play at the plate on an RBI double in the sixth inning. Bo Bichette’s throw home went past catcher Luis Torrens and a runner was able to move up a base as Torrens tracked down the ball.
Peterson was still standing near the mound.
“I don’t understand it,” Darling said on the air. “It really tells me that coaches really don’t have as much influence on the players as they think they have because someone should rip someone at some point. But they don’t because they don’t want to upset anyone. You have to back up bases every single time.”
Gary Cohen asked Darling if he thought it would be addressed after the game.
“It might be, but not addressed the way it should be addressed,” Darling said. “Because if it was addressed, Gary, it wouldn’t happen. It happens every game. We just don’t point it out.”
The most astounding thing about Peterson not covering home plate was Ron Darling stating that covering bases doesn't happen in any of the games! What the!?! Clearly, this is on Mendoza and why he should've been fired a month ago! #Mets #mlb #sports #lgm pic.twitter.com/Ss079svHor
— Baseball Hut (@TheBaseballHut) May 27, 2026
After the game, manager Carlos Mendoza said: “It can’t happen. Obviously, he knows that. There’s no excuses for it. I haven’t talked to him about it, but obviously, there’s going to be a conversation. He knows he made a mistake, but there’s no excuses.”
Peterson, who took the loss to fall to 3-5, said: “I just didn’t do my job. I didn’t get to my spot, and that’s on me.”
Newsday's Ben Dickson contributed to this story.
Anthony Rieber covers sports media and business and professional sports (you know, games and trades and things). He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since Jan. 1, 2026.
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