Million ways to improve the broadcast but Fox and ESPN always pick the worst ideas

dont say that too loud, manfred will move games to only access on starlink connections or something wild. are youtube games still a thing they're trying?

Counterpoint - Kershaw. (But yeah, didn't really work with Skubal and Raleigh)

How is that a counterpoint? If I never heard from Kershaw again I would be thrilled.

Why is this a counterpoint? Because Kershaw did better than Skubal? It's still a dumb idea to distract a Pitcher and a Catcher in the middle of a game.

Kershaw was fantastic.

I respectfully disagree. Alek Manoah being mic'ed up a couple years ago was a hoot. (But perhaps that's why he fell apart?)

Eh, I dunno man, it's been interesting at least

No F-bombs. Nuts.

I assume Skubal is the same but Cal is notorious for being a quiet guy when it comes to talking in public. “Hey! I know! Let’s mic up a couple of major introverts!”

Hahaha!

Yeah it does not feel right.

“Im just gonna do my thing and NOT FUCKING TALK TO YOU” Live!

And mic'ing a catcher? Who is right next to the batter? Ridiculous

Strongly disagree. I love hearing the process with him and the catcher. It's an exhibition! Hearing Kershaw during a pitching outing is something I will treasure forever! My 10 year old son and 8 year old nephew agree. They thought it was so cool!

They're trying to reach out to "the kids" but choosing the most consistently lame ways of doing so. This would be like trying to make a crowd of teenagers laugh by playing them Soupy Sales.

Totally distracting 🤷‍♀️🙄

I haaaaate it. I’d be incensed if I had to wear that while I was playing.

I think Cal agrees with you lol

He just grunted in response

It was so cringe.

Omg! I can't understand half of what they're saying anyway!!!

Are you saying most ESPN non actual game content is stupid? Oh yea. It is.

Did they learn nothing from Liam Hendricks?

Does that mean wiring him for sound? Why?

I would take mics on the players if I don’t have to listen to Smoltz and Davis. I’ll take ambient game noise and a curated selection of the raw audio from a handful of players mic’d up over having to listen to almost all national game broadcasters.

why bother playing the "game", just do it as HR comps only.

Agreed.

THANK YOU!! This isn’t Grandpa yelling at clouds; I love this game. That said, this is about the dumbest fucking thing I’ve seen. They’re both mic’d up, and encouraged to converse. “Cal, should I go to the changeup here to Shohei”? “IDK; let me ask him”…

Me listening to players grunting responses:

They're also giving info from the booth. "Be careful first pitch here to Acuña" "Challenge!" I know it's an exhibition, but it's also really friggin annoying.

I am simply amazed that they had both the catcher and pitcher mic'd up. I know it's an exhibition, but these guys are playing a game that can be dangerous and they need to concentrate.

And what can Cal even say with the batter right there?

Mic'ing up players actually playing in any game is pretty stupid.

Is everybody afraid to admit that watching baseball can be like watching paint dry? The no attention span folks probably need a little extra.

Well, I disagree that baseball can be like watching paint dry. That said, the mic'ing up is all for those people with no attention span.

It's gotta be. My first game at Komiskey park was a nosebleed seat, and I couldn't see what was happening. My mother was a super fan, but I had PTSD too young. Whenever I heard her screaming, I didn't know if I should run or hide. She was mostly screaming at the Bears.

Sounds interesting as hell to me.

That said, it would crack me up if the pitcher told the batter here comes the heater, Major League style, but then uncorked a 60 MPH curveball.

ESPECIALLY when you mic his catcher at the same time.

Hate it, but Kershaw played it well. Asking Smoltz what to throw was pretty funny.