Mets fire Porter after 38 days for explicit texts in 2016

NEW YORK (AP) — Jared Porter lasted just 38 days as New York Mets general manager, fired for cause Wednesday about nine hours after ESPN reported he sent sexually explicit, uninvited text messages and images to a female reporter in 2016 while he was working for the Chicago Cubs.

Sandy Alderson, who returned as Mets president when Steven Cohen bought the team on Nov. 6, said he was stunned by the report. He said baseball clubs may have to rethink the depth of hiring background checks, although he cautioned information of this age and nature might not have been uncovered no matter the level. He said the onus was on teams, not on MLB, to vet employees.

“This is a wakeup call,” Alderson said during a news conference. “It clearly suggests that something like this can be out there in connection with almost anyone. And we have to do our best to make sure that we know about that information.”

ESPN reported Porter sent dozens of unanswered texts to the woman, including a picture of “an erect, naked penis.” ESPN said it obtained a copy of the text history, and some of the messages and photos he sent were displayed in the report online.

Major League Baseball will investigate Porter, a person familiar with its decision said, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement was made. Porter, 41, could be subject to discipline by MLB that would prevent him from working in baseball for some length of time or ever, depending on the severity.

Porter did not return a text from the AP seeking comment.

His brief term was less than half that of Carlos Beltrán, let go as Mets manager on Jan. 16 last year after 77 days in the fallout for his role in the 2017 Houston Astros sign stealing scandal.

Alderson, 73, was the Mets’ general manager from 2010-18 in the latter stage of its...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Mets-fire-Porter-after-38-days-for-explicit-texts-15883221.php