In recent years, Major League Baseball has explored new ways to bring fans closer to the game.
One of the most notable changes has been the incorporation of in-game player interviews, particularly during ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” broadcasts. However, after a recent on-field blunder during an in-game interview, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has revealed his disdain for the concept.
In-Game Interviews Are Great — but Are They a Distraction?
On paper, it is a cool concept: a player mic’d up, chatting live with the broadcast booth while out on the field, giving fans a raw, real-time perspective of what it is like to play the game. But after a costly error during a Yankees and Boston Red Sox showdown on June 8, Boone is starting to question whether it’s really worth it.
Playing third base for the Yankees that evening, Jazz Chisholm Jr. was his typical outgoing self when he spoke with ESPN’s Eduardo Pérez, David Cone, and Karl Ravech in the third inning. While discussing Red Sox pitcher Hunter Dobbins, he was in the middle of his sentence when Boston’s Ceddanne Rafaela hit a ground ball at him. In an attempt to make the play, Chisholm hurried the throw wide and let Rafaela go to second.
After the play was called an error, the discussion immediately changed.
Fans on social media did not hesitate to share their opinions. Many pointed fingers at the interview, saying it clearly distracted Chisholm and led to the miscue. And while Chisholm handled the moment with professionalism, the situation raised a bigger question: Are these interviews putting players in a tough spot?
“DAMMIT” pic.twitter.com/3BNpD3lF4F
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 8, 2025
Boone did not dodge the topic when asked about it. His response was short but telling: “I don’t necessarily love it.”
Boone’s remarks felt genuine, as if he were attempting to strike a balance between his support for modern baseball and his desire to keep his players safe, even though he did not go so far as to denounce the concept outright. It was not about placing blame; rather, it was about admitting that occasionally, the extra strain of entertaining might take away from the primary goal, which was to make the play.
“I don’t think I would have wanted to be doing that [be mic’d up mid-game] — I’m sure a lot of our guys would not want to be — but over the years now, we have seen a lot of guys do some really amazing things mic’d up. … I just think it’s a product of the time,” Boone said.
“A lot of our guys would not want to be (mic’d up).” -Aaron Boone on the in-game player interviews pic.twitter.com/8PobEokF7l
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 13, 2025
Boone is not alone, either. Fans enjoy hearing players’ voices during play, but players, coaches, and broadcasters are questioning whether there’s a better way to handle it.
Perhaps save the interviews for pitching changes or in between innings. Even though the behind-the-scenes access is intriguing, it should not ultimately come with the cost of a regular out.
Whether MLB keeps this feature or scraps it altogether, one thing is clear: When a mistake like Chisholm’s happens, it draws extra scrutiny. Those mic’d-up moments can end up being more trouble than they’re worth for Boone and likely other managers down the road.