ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball broadcast is facing criticism from fans following an in-game interview with Triston Casas during the Red Sox’s clash against the Cardinals.
Boston’s first baseman was wearing the mic for an in-game interview with ESPN’s broadcast booth when Karl Ravech posed an uncomfortable question.
Casas, whose mother died when he was young, was asked what Mother’s Day means to him, resulting in an awkward moment during the broadcast.
“We had Alex Cora on. I know your mom passed away when you were young. What does Mother’s Day mean to you and your brother?” asked Ravech.
"I know your mom passed away when you were young, what does Mother's Day mean to you and your brother?" - Karl Ravech question to Triston Casas while playing first base on Sunday Night Baseball. pic.twitter.com/5HEwa5dVhw
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 15, 2023
While Casas remained professional with his answer, fans were less than thrilled with Ravech’s query, and they sounded off on the situation on Twitter.
Triston Casas: "Boston's been treating me good. Saw a tree today. Love the vibe here."
— Sawx South (@SawxSouth) May 15, 2023
ESPN Booth: "Sounds great... So, walk us through your mother's premature death."
EDUARDO PÉREZ: Can you take us through your pre-game routine?
— Jake (@JakeWallinger) May 15, 2023
TRISTON CASAS: Absolutely. I usually walk to the park-.
KARL RAVECH: -So, about your dead mother.
Did they just ask Triston Casas about his dying mother in the middle of a baseball game?
— Johnny Giunta (0-5 Corona Rooftop) (@JohnnyGiuntaa) May 15, 2023
Asking Triston Casas about his dead mother while he’s playing in the field sure was an interesting decision.
— Some Guy Named Bryce (@imfrommaryland) May 15, 2023
It’s been like 14 hours and I still can’t wrap my mind around ESPN asking Triston Casas about his deceased mother on Mother’s Day. Even assuming they asked him if it was an okay topic in pregame meetings, it’s STILL bad form and never should have been brought up. So messed up.
— Matt Cote (@iamnotmattcote) May 15, 2023
hey so just checking in that I didn’t hallucinate that espn really did ask triston casas about his dead mother. on live television. mid game. on mother’s day.
— kristi (@kristi_lala) May 15, 2023
ESPN mics up player mid-game:
— Tyler Oehmen (@Fastball360) May 15, 2023
Karl Ravech: so it's mother's day and your mom is dead. What's that like?
Tristan Casas: ....uh yeah that was pretty unfortunate for me
Clearly, fans weren't happy with Ravech’s approach during Sunday’s interview, and the ESPN broadcast was lambasted on social media in the aftermath.