"Nobody likes this" – Outrage erupts after ESPN's in-game interview leads to Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s throwing error

Time of India

2 days ago

"Nobody likes this" – Outrage erupts after ESPN's in-game interview leads to Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s throwing error (Image Source: Getty Images)
Jazz Chisholm Jr. from the New York Yankees was involved in controversy during ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball after he made a mistake throwing the ball while being interviewed live.
Fans of baseball were quick to criticize ESPN for carrying out interviews with players during a game that was not yet finished. Chisholm Jr.'s first reaction was to say 'Dammit!' The moment when Bruce Bochy's throw sailed over Paul Goldschmidt's head and went viral has sparked more talk about how today's baseball broadcasts are done.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s spinning throw attempt goes awry during live ESPN broadcast
The excitement happened when Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela hit a ground ball toward Jazz Chisholm Jr.,
who was at that moment answering questions from fans for ESPN. After getting to the grounder, Chisholm Jr. tried a spinning throw to first, but it missed its target, letting Rafaela move to second.
The overwhelming response from baseball fans has been negative, with many viewing the format as a distraction that takes away from the game itself. One frustrated fan summed up the sentiment perfectly: "it's bad enough talking to players in the dugout.
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let 'em play ball without having to answer inane questions from the announcing crew."
The criticism wasn't limited to casual observers either. Another fan pointed out the lack of demand for such coverage: "Still have yet to find any person out there who actually wants this during an MLB game."
ESPN's broadcast strategy under fire
The incident has also reignited broader criticisms of ESPN's current approach to sports broadcasting. Many fans are calling for a return to the network's golden era, with one user posting: "This is why ESPN sucks.
Bring back the ESPN of the 90s/2000s."
Perhaps most telling is that the incident has united even New York Yankees fans against the format. The National Beachball League account noted this shift: "The anti-ingame interview team now has all of Yankee Nation on board. Game over, #ESPN!"
The bigger picture
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between traditional baseball broadcasting and ESPN's attempts to modernise the viewing experience.
While the network likely sees in-game interviews as a way to provide unique access and keep viewers engaged, the fan reaction suggests this approach may be backfiring.
The unanimous nature of the criticism from fans across team loyalties indicates that ESPN may need to reconsider its strategy for Sunday Night Baseball coverage. As one fan succinctly put it in response to the clip: "Thanks, ESPN!!!!"
Also Read:
Why Atlanta Braves' 7-game slump signals deeper issues beyond injuries
With baseball purists and casual fans alike expressing their displeasure, the network faces mounting pressure to prioritise the game itself over manufactured broadcasting moments that can lead to embarrassing situations like Chisholm's on-air mistake.