Baseball fans have mixed opinions about players being microphoned on the field for television interviews. Some love the access and insight it gives them and the opportunity to get to know the players’ personalities. But others worry that talking to the broadcast team while on the field could be a major distraction.
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Kiké Hernández noticed that concern during the bottom of the second inning of Friday’s game against the New York Yankees. Hernández had a microphone and earpiece on while speaking with Wayne Randazzo and Dontrelle Willis on the Apple TV+ broadcast.
When the Yankees’ Gleyber Torres hit a grounder to Hernandez at third base, Willis asked Hernandez what made the Dodgers such a close-knit team.
“After this play,” Hernandez said, running to his left to catch the ball. The ball bounced off his right hand and ricocheted off his groin, but Hernandez caught the ball and threw it to first base.
Torres reached base and Hernandez was called for an error.
Would Hernandez have been able to make that play if he hadn’t been talking to the broadcast crew? Was he on the field during the game but distracted by an interview? Or was the veteran infielder just crossing over with a bad hop that would have confounded any third baseman?
“Maybe a little bit,” Hernandez admitted after the game when asked if the interviews affected him, “but I think the ball just engulfed me. It had a weird bounce.”
But Hernandez said the mistake won’t make him reconsider whether 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 allowance if they wear two-way microphones for at least one inning during a regular-season game (up to $15,000 during the postseason).
The Dodgers were up 2-1 after 11 innings, with Hernandez going 1-for-3 with 1 hit and 1 walk. Teoscar Hernandez hit a double off Ian Hamilton in the 11th inning, scoring two runs for the Dodgers.
Hernandez’s attention seemed to be distracted by the interview, but throughout the duration he seemed to indicate that he was focused on the match.
“What was your question before I made that mistake?” Hernandez asked Willis.
“I don’t wanna hear it again, to be honest with you, because I don’t want you to kick my balls again,” Willis replied. “I’ll take an E for you, Big Dog.”
Torres didn’t score, but he did advance to third base on a Trent Grisham single before Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out Jose Trevino.
