Watch CBS News

Report: Mets' LaTroy Hawkins Subdues Passenger On Flight To Chile

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- LaTroy Hawkins the pitcher or LaTroy Hawkins the superhero?

The Mets' reliever, who is set to become a free agent following the World Series, helped subdue a troublesome passenger on a flight from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Santiago, Chile on Sunday night, according to his Instagram account.

The American Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Peru, where the passenger was escorted off of the plane, according to Hawkins.

"We had to subdue a guy who was upset about not being able to sit in an open seat in business class," the MLB veteran told the New York Daily News. "He and the flight attendant started wrestling and fell into my lap. The (flight attendant) said he needed help."

The fact that the pitcher is 6-foot-5 and weighs 220 pounds certainly didn't hurt the situation.

According to the newspaper, Hawkins was assisted by friends Rodney Carter and Leonard Whittenberg, who are traveling with the big leaguer to South America to hunt doves.

As far as baseball is concerned, reports have suggested that there is mutual interest between the Mets and the 40-year-old. The right-hander is expected to test the market, however, following a very solid season out of New York's bullpen.

In his first campaign as a Met, Hawkins pitched to a 2.93 ERA and recorded 13 saves after closer Bobby Parnell went down with an injury. He struck out 55 and walked 10 in 70 2/3 innings over 72 appearances.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.