Broadcaster's on-air remarks spark backlash
Boston Red Sox radio announcer Will Flemming apologized Monday after he suggested during Sunday's game that Red Sox pitcher Jovani Morán should hit Yankees catcher Austin Wells with a pitch and later fight Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. The remarks came during the Yankees' 16-1 win, as reported by theScore.
Heavy. reported that Flemming made the comments with the Yankees leading 7-1 in the eighth inning, when Chisholm stole second and third base. Flemming criticized the move as "bush league" and accused Chisholm of stat padding, according to both Heavy. and theScore. He then asked, "Wouldn't you sort of like to see Morán drill Wells right here?" as quoted by Heavy.
Flemming later apologized for the "out of pocket" comment, according to Heavy. theScore reported the apology was issued online Monday but did not mention Chisholm.
Yankees players respond
Chisholm, who plays second base for the Yankees, said he did not know who Flemming was before the incident. "I didn't even know who that was until this morning," Chisholm said, as quoted by multiple outlets. "And I'm still not going to remember who he is after today."
Chisholm also defended his base-running, telling reporters, according to ESPN as carried by theScore: "They're called unwritten rules because you're not really breaking any rules. You've seen teams - actually (the Red Sox last season) - do the same thing where they're pouring on runs. We didn't have nothing to say or nothing to do about it."
He added: "That's just showing how unprofessional (Flemming) is."
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge expressed displeasure with Flemming's suggestion that a player be hit. "He needs to stay out of that and not be telling people to throw at players and injure players," Judge said, according to multiple outlets. "That's not what this game's about. Not too happy hearing broadcasters talking about trying to injure or hurt players. He needs to clean that up."
Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon, speaking to The Athletic's Chris Kircher, offered a blunt assessment of the situation. "Pitch better," Rodon said, as quoted by Heavy. "This is not the pat-on-your-back league, and we're going to be nice to you. Everyone's coming to take the food off your table, and they're coming to take your money. That's how this game is played. There are no nice guys."
According to , Chisholm did not receive a direct apology from Flemming and is not interested in one, per Gary Phillips. Chisholm said he hadn't heard from Flemming in any other capacity before making his own comments about the broadcaster, theScore reported.
Context of the incident
Heavy. reported that Flemming's remarks were sparked by Chisholm swiping second and third with the Yankees up six runs in the eighth inning. WEEI analyst Will Middlebrooks, a former Red Sox player, also took issue with Chisholm's running, according to Heavy. Heavy. also noted that Chisholm had a slow trot home when Wells homered off Morán.
The incident adds another layer to the long-standing Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, with the teams competing for playoff position in the American League.