Major League Baseball

Mets upset about 'Family Guy' clip

Published Apr. 3, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Fuming Mets broadcast officials were preparing Sunday to punish a TV technician who played an insulting audio clip from the hit cartoon "Family Guy" over shots of the team walking off the field after Friday's season-opening defeat.

The brief clip interrupted the doleful voice of Mets announcer Gary Cohen, as he gave the unhappy recap of the 6-2 drubbing by the Florida Marlins.

The clip -- from a "Family Guy" skit in which the team's season was declared over on Opening Day -- was a clear slap in the face.

"Family Guy" fans quickly recognized the audio as a Mets-mocking gag from the FOX show's Nov. 7 episode.

In one of the cartoon's riffs on pop culture, the scheming baby character, Stewie Griffin, is upset that he is not having fun on Halloween, and says the holiday is "a bigger letdown than being a Mets fan."

The scene then cuts to Stewie sitting at a Mets game. An announcer says, "It's Opening Day, and here's the first pitch ... and the season's over!" Stewie then flings down his cap in disgust.

Moments after the end of Friday night's game on the Mets-owned cable network SNY (SportsNet New York), the portion of the clip in which the "Family Guy" announcer says "Opening Day, and here's the first pitch" could clearly be heard over images of players.

SNY executives were left seething. "It was a very poor decision by an employee," a network spokesman said Saturday. "The matter is being dealt with internally."

The team was not fazed by the flack, at least publicly.

"You can't react to criticism," said Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz, who had not heard of the on-air gaffe until called by The New York Post. "We're New York; you have a thick skin."

Another source said the incident was unintentional and that it was not clear if the employee will be fired.

The Mets responded positively, beating the Marlins, 6-4, Saturday night for their first win of the season.

"Family Guy" has poked fun at the franchise before.

"Look at the garbage those damned leafers dumped on our lawn," fumes dad Peter Griffin in one episode. The shot showed players in Mets uniforms.

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