The in-game interview has become a common feature of national MLB broadcasts ever since Fox introduced them in the All-Star Game a few years ago. And as part of the recent CBA, players even have a financial incentive to participate in these interviews.
They’re not going away any time soon. And when you get moments like what we saw on Sunday, it’s easy to understand why MLB loves these interviews. It’s an easy way to put the game’s personality on display.
During the second inning of Sunday night’s game between the Dodgers and Giants, shortstop Miguel Rojas was mic’d up for an interview with the ESPN booth before a Thairo Estrada grounder came his way.
“Sorry, guys. I need to make this play real quick” 😂 pic.twitter.com/xFdXpfavZp
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 24, 2023
Rojas stopped his sentence, fielded the ball and said, “Sorry, guys. I need to make this play real quick.” And fired a perfect throw to first to retire Estrada.
The booth absolutely loved that, and Rojas was seen laughing after the play. It’s difficult enough to field a grounder in a big-league game, but you have to respect the multi-tasking from Rojas. He said he had to make the play, and he followed through with the promise.
Fans were also impressed with Rojas there. It takes elite focus to carry out an interview on national television while simultaneously making plays at shortstop.
This was how Twitter reacted
We need to mic up MORE players. The rewards greatly out weigh the risks in my opinion… https://t.co/OAnSP6AZuo
— Hemā Heimuli Jr. (@x_hems) September 25, 2023
This is great lol. I love that they added this to baseball https://t.co/GqaiP8S06o
— Kuzco⚜️🐯 (@Vizzy_Baby) September 25, 2023
Imagine if the NFL or NBA had this lol. https://t.co/OhhyI3niFP
— William (Wxllxxm) (@WxLLxxM) September 25, 2023
people who are anti ingame interviews hate fun https://t.co/6Ta1MWrmGI
— a real guise guy (@bidetuser) September 24, 2023
Baseball needs more of this!! So sick https://t.co/MKG2IGAg2z
— June (@juniorg45) September 25, 2023
I love this so much https://t.co/NddMl4PgkP
— Louie Gee (@Lou_E_Gee) September 25, 2023
“I have to make this play real quick” 😂 https://t.co/U5vEGyvsT6
— Dodgers Andrew (@DodgersAndrew) September 24, 2023
So good… https://t.co/nti6KTZimh
— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) September 25, 2023
You might be cool, but you will never be "apologizing for making a good baseball play while mic'd up" cool https://t.co/vT9NuIp9wK
— Fernando Gallo (@FernandoRGallo) September 25, 2023
