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.”
Asked about Flemming's comments before the Yankees played the Angels in Anaheim on Monday night, Boone said the issue was behind them.
"I talked to Will today and he did [apologize]," Boone said. "So I appreciate that. I know him a little bit. I know his brother really well, and I've had nothing but good interactions with him and know he loves the game and understands, too, that he crossed the line. So again, for me, now that's water under the bridge, and I certainly accept that apology and don't really have any ill will towards that."
Boone also wanted to make it clear that he told Chisholm to run when he saw that Red Sox first baseman Andruw Monasterio wasn't holding the runner on the bag.
"I want to make sure it was important to know that this came from me," he said. "I was not planning on running with that lead, had they played it straight. And I was pretty animated and vocal with their dugout just as far as if they weren't going to play it straight, I wasn't just going to sit back."
Chisholm said he wasn't even aware of the comments until Monday morning. Asked if he received an apology from Flemming, he said he did not, nor did he care to.
"To be honest with you, I don't [need an apology]," he said. "I didn't even know who that was until this morning, and I'm still not going to remember who he is after today. So it is what it is."
MLB.com reporter Courtney Hollmon contributed to this report from Anaheim.
Ian Browne