Exclusive:SNY Mets broadcasters have wild debate over Twins’ nickname: ‘Feels a little derogatory’

Although the Mets’ performance on Wednesday may not have offered many highlights, fans got some levity via their broadcast booth.

With the team trailing the Twins by five in the bottom of the sixth inning of an eventual 8-3 loss, SNY play-by-play man Gary Cohen and analyst Keith Hernandez lightheartedly argued about the nickname that Hernandez used — “Twinkies.”

“I am not convinced that the Twins like being referred to as the ‘Twinkies,’” Cohen countered, alluding to Twinkie the Kid. “Just saying, feels a little derogatory.”

Gary Cohen checks Keith Hernandez for calling the Twins the Twinkies.

"I am not convinced the Twins like being referred to as the Twinkies. Just saying, feels a little derogatory…I don't want you to raise any ire." pic.twitter.com/Kz3PVFRJ0A

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 31, 2024

No! No! I mean it very compassionately,” Hernandez offered. “Nothing but positive waves on that. We used to call them the Twinkies. I always thought it was a cool name. I’ll call them the Twins.”

Cohen then continued to play intermediator.

“That’s OK. You can call them whoever you want,” the veteran announcer said. “I just, I don’t want you to raise any ire on the other side. I mean, we don’t see them that often.”

Afterward, Hernandez quipped that he would never use the moniker “Twinkies” when speaking to Minnesota legends like Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew or Cesar Tovar.

The debate may have distracted Mets fans temporarily, but the team ultimately lost to the Twins.

Starter Luis Severino proved ineffective, surrendering six runs and six hits in only three innings.

Meanwhile, Minnesota salvaged the final matchup of the three-game set thanks to home runs from Byron Buxton and Matt Wallner.

Twins starter Pablo Lopez also turned in a strong outing, giving up two runs and striking out seven over six innings.

As a result of the defeat, the Mets moved to 57-51 and a 1/2 game behind the red-hot Padres for the final NL wild-card spot.

The team’s SNY booth has provided several memorable moments throughout the team’s 2024 campaign, including their trolling of Yankees announcer Michael Kay and Ron Darling scolding Severino for not backing up on throws to third base earlier in July.

The Mets will look to get back on track during a lengthy 10-game, four-city road trip which begins in Los Angeles against the Angels on Friday at 9:38 p.m. ET.