Baseball fans have varying opinions about players being fielded for TV interviews. Some appreciate the access and insight provided, and it’s a chance to see the players’ personalities. Others, however, worry that talking to the broadcast team while defending could be a significant distraction.
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Kiké Hernández realized these concerns during Friday’s game against the New York Yankees after a play in the second inning. Hernández had a microphone and earpiece in as he spoke with Wayne Randazzo and Dontrelle Willis during the Apple TV+ broadcast.
Willis asked Hernández if the Dodgers were a tight ball club when the Yankees’ Gleyber Torres hit a ground ball to him at third base.
“After this play,” Hernández responded as he ran to his left to field the ball. The ball hopped, hit Hernández with his bare right hand and then bounced off his groin before he fielded the grounder and made the late throw to first base.
Torres reached base and Hernández was fouled.
Would Hernández have made the play if he hadn’t spoken to the broadcast crew? Was he distracted by an interview while he was on the field during the game? Or was the veteran infielder crossed by a bad hop that would have irritated any third baseman?
“Maybe a little bit,” Hernández acknowledged after the game when asked if the interview affected him. “But I think I let the ball eat me. He made a strange jump.”
However, Hernández said the mistake would not make him reconsider whether or not to do in-game interviews.
“No, because we get paid,” he said. “I like money.”
According to The Associated Press, players will receive a $10,000 stipend for wearing a two-way microphone for at least one inning during a regular-season game. (That goes up to $15,000 during the postseason.)
The Dodgers won 2-1 in 11 innings and Hernández went 1-for-3 with a walk. Teoscar Hernández drove in the Dodgers’ two runs with a double in the 11th inning off Ian Hamilton.
Hernández’s attention was likely divided by the interview, but he seemed to indicate his focus was on the game as the interview continued.
“What was the previous question before I made that mistake?” Hernández asked Willis.
“I don’t want to ask again because I don’t want you to kick the ball again, to be honest,” Willis responded. “I’ll get you that E, big dog.”
Torres did not score, although he advanced to third base on a single by Trent Grisham before Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out Jose Trevino.
