Major League Baseball is better when the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry heats up. It’s not better, nor is broadcast journalism, when an announcer suggests his team should aim to hit a batter with a pitch, or to “fight” an opponent for stealing bases.
Red Sox announcer Will Flemming made both of those suggestions on the air Sunday during the last game of a four-game set between the teams in the Bronx.
Flemming was irked because Yankees second-baseman Jazz Chisholm chose to steal second and third after the Yankees had built a six-run lead. That lead happened well after a controversial call in the outfield that didn’t go Boston’s way. Outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela made what looked like a spectacular diving catch of a sinking fly ball in center. Umpires on the field ruled the catch a trap, and after a lengthy review, the call on the field was upheld.
Replay’s now an important tool in professional sports but it’s caused more arguments. One replay showed the ball was caught, but when the fielder’s glove turned over the ball could be seen touching the ground. Then Rafaela’s momentum continued, and he kept the ball in his glove. Really tough call, and if it had been ruled a catch, this Yankee fan would’ve been displeased.
Most fans who study the game understand the rules of replay: if video evidence of a call on the field doesn’t “incontrovertibly” show a mistake, the call on the field will frequently stand, as it did in this case. But that’s not the point.
In the eighth inning, Jazz Chisholm was walked and stole second and third on what can be termed “defensive indifference.” The Sox infielders didn’t make efforts to keep Chisholm anchored at first or second, thinking that, with a six-run lead, he wouldn’t run.
Baseball has a lot of unwritten rules, one suggesting that it’s bad sportsmanship to run up the score in the late-innings when it can be assumed the game’s outcome has been determined. I won’t bother reporting how many times this season the Sox have erased six-run deficits. Chisholm’s a punk who plays lackadaisical defense. But he saw an opportunity where the opponent was “asleep” and took advantage. Was he padding his own stats? You bet. If the same had happened in Fenway, by a Red Sox player, the cheers would’ve bounced off the Citgo sign.
After the two stolen bases, Flemming on air asked his broadcast partner, “Wouldn’t you like to see Moran drill Wells right here?” And seconds later, “And Moran should fight Chisholm.” As much as I enjoy the rivalry, there are limits, and deliberately throwing a pitch at an opposing batter, and worse, suggesting it follows to “fight” the opponent went too far.
On Monday following the internet outcry, Flemming took to X. But what some termed an apology wasn’t what I’d call heartfelt. Key to this argument is Flemming’s first sentence: “Since I have been receiving nonstop calls and threats…” That’s not an apology, that’s whining about too many internet trolls. He went on to say that he “meant no disrespect to the Yankees players or organization.” Really, Will? The “drill” and “fight” comments don’t strike me as respect.
Flemming blamed the rivalry itself, and his emotional state when he said, “These rivalry games get me fired up…” and then offered a back-door apology. I get fired up watching these games, too, but the only person who has to deal with the upshot is my wife.
The Red Sox are close to the Yankees in the standings, but the three wins in four games this past weekend make catching the Bombers difficult. It’s likely the teams will meet in the playoffs. I’ll point out to Flemming that the Yankees scored 25 runs on Boston in less than 24 hours, and rather than blast Chisholm he might remember he’s paid to talk about the game, not suggest fights on the field.