BOSTON – For years, it has been said that the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry ratchets up intensity, be it in the dugout or certainly in the stands. As it turns out, even team broadcasters can get caught up in it.
Red Sox radio play-by-play man Will Flemming apologized on Monday for taking it a little too far in some of his comments during Sunday’s 16-1 win by the Yankees.
“Since I have been receiving nonstop calls and threats, I felt like it was important to hop back on here and say: My comments during yesterday’s broadcast crossed a line,” Flemming wrote on X. “I’m emotional and a fan at heart, and that bled into the broadcast.”
In a reply to his post, Flemming added, “I meant no disrespect to the Yankees players or organization. I could and should have used different words. These rivalry games get me fired up; I apologize for letting the emotion of the moment get the best of me.”
Fleming took exception to Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. stealing second and third base in the eighth inning, when New York held a 7-1 lead.
He mentioned that Sox lefty Jovani Morán should “drill” Austin Wells, who was at the plate when Chisholm stole his 39th and 40th bases of the season. He called Chisholm a “bush league” player.
As Chisholm continued his tour around the bases on a two-run homer by Wells, Chisholm slowed down dramatically before he crossed home plate. At that point, Flemming said that Morán “should fight Chisholm.”
Ian Browne