Giants broadcaster takes over as bat boy after fantasy football loss

August 15th, 2023

Dave Flemming is a man of many talents -- though fantasy football does not appear to be one of them.

Better known for his role as the Giants’ play-by-play broadcaster -- not to mention his work at ESPN for MLB playoff games and other collegiate sports -- Flemming added to his résumé on Monday as an honorary bat boy in the Giants' 10-2 loss to the Rays in San Francisco. The reason for his new gig? Flemming came in last place in the team’s fantasy football league, and this was the “punishment.”

This has become something of a tradition in the Giants organization. Last year, outfielders Steven Duggar and Austin Slater received the bat boy honor after placing last in the club-wide fantasy league. Flemming luckily avoided having to wear a taped “L” on the back of his jersey, as Duggar and Slater did last year.

“I think that’s probably going to be the punishment again next year,” Crawford said at the time in 2022. “You don’t want to get last place.”

But somebody had to do it, and that someone this time around was Flemming, who not only changed his office space but also had a completely different uniform for the game. Flemming, who has called Giants games since 2003 and has been a staple in the sports broadcasting community, already has his fair share of experience in the professional sports world.

Now, he can add “bat boy” to his already impressive track record.

"I'm gonna be icing down after this. I may not make it up for the fourth inning," Flemming said during a mid-game interview, before being politely asked to get back to work.