{
  "id": 7868391,
  "title": "Stephen A. Smith storms off ‘First Take’ set after trashing Mets",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/stephen-a-smith-storms-off-first-take-set-after-trashing-mets",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-16T20:46:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/stephen-smith-storms-off-first-204603845.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Stephen A. Smith took his usual dramatic approach on Wednesday's episode of ESPN's First Take, shifting his criticism from the Dallas Cowboys to Major League Baseball's New York Mets. He targeted the team after witnessing an embarrassing moment during Pete Alonso's return to Citi Field, where fans cheered as Alonso broke his 300th home run record. The Baltimore Orioles ultimately won the game, leading Smith to call for everyone, including former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, to abandon the \"trash\" franchise.\n\nSmith shouted at the screen, \"Former Governor Chris Christie, who consults for the New York Mets, I really, really think you should strongly consider disassociating yourself with the New York Mets, cause they’re horrible!\" He went on to criticize the team's management, stating, \"The Mets are trash! Probably because they ain't listening to him. They need to listen to somebody. They stink!\" Smith went on to urge the team to listen to their fans and make changes, calling for the firing of their director of baseball operations.\n\nThe Mets, currently sitting at the bottom of the NL East with a 69-82 record, had already been mathematically eliminated from the postseason after their loss to the Orioles on September 14, with two weeks left in the season.",
  "summary": "Stephen A. Smith's theatrics were at an all-time high after ripping into the New York Mets on ESPN 'First Take.'",
  "key_points": [
    "Stephen A. Smith storms off 'First Take' set after criticizing Mets",
    "Smith calls for fans and Chris Christie to abandon New York Mets",
    "Mets at bottom of NL East with 69-82 record, eliminated from postseason"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}