Kiké Hernández had an honest reason for why he'll keep doing in-game TV interviews despite his error
The awkward silence was something else.
Over the past few seasons, we’ve seen networks experiment more and more with in-game interviews during MLB broadcasts. It’s a way to cut through some of the monotony of a three-hour broadcast and also a way to promote the game’s personalities.
But baseball is still a game that requires quick reactions — particularly at third base — and focus. It’s not easy to do that while multitasking an interview with playing baseball at the highest level. An error was inevitable, and on Friday, we had just that with the Dodgers’ Kiké Hernández.
As Hernández was answering questions from Apple TV’s MLB crew of Wayne Randazzo and Dontrelle Willis, the Dodgers third baseman had trouble with a grounder off the bat of Gleyber Torres. By the time Hernández recovered to make the throw, Torres had reached first safely.
A mic'd up error on National Television is tough pic.twitter.com/yWKDyQ5fY7
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) June 7, 2024
Now, it’s reasonable to suggest that Hernández was making that error regardless, just judging by his positioning. But the broadcast should not have been asking him a question in the middle of a pitch.
Hernández was clearly frustrated about the error — even though Torres didn’t score that inning — but he had no plans to stop doing those in-game interviews. And his reason was quite simple, via the Associated Press:
“No, because we’re getting paid,” he said. “I like money.”
Players get paid $10,000 per inning of in-game interviews during the regular season and $15,000 during the postseason. So despite how ridiculous an in-game interview might seem to a fan, the new CBA incentivizes players to wear that two-way microphone.
Fans still had plenty of thoughts on the error.
This was how Twitter/X reacted
If I’m a #Dodgers fan I don’t want these guys mic’d up during the game, especially infielders.
What are we doing? https://t.co/t5fivG2Vd0
— Alec Nolan (@AlecABC30) June 8, 2024
Mic’d up interviews are awesome, but NOT while a guy is playing on the field. Too much of a distraction from the game. Look what happened here
You can mic up bullpen guys and bench players, but not starters. What do we think?
https://t.co/5OJpepiwGk
— Andrew Caruso (He/Him/His) (@AndrewCaruso77) June 7, 2024
Awh yeah love mic’d up in game content
https://t.co/srWnVZvG4j
— Matthew Crory (@matthewcrory) June 8, 2024
micing up the hot corner? really? https://t.co/p0Co7vTfaA
— kinetic (@dontwatchsports) June 8, 2024
Everything about Apple TV baseball is so cringe. https://t.co/SSJUKPxrY7
— Meister Mikey J (@MeisterMikeyJ) June 7, 2024
If I'm Kiké, I'm PISSED here. Once the ball is thrown, shut the hell up and let me field. Don't speak as the ball is literally coming towards me https://t.co/JQNIgvOUg7
— Nyanasaur (@Nyanasaur) June 7, 2024
The awkward silence after the error
https://t.co/N1bY57Am2V
— Yanks ftw
(@yfor28) June 7, 2024
America would've seen a different side of me https://t.co/aQy1cN74FU
— RushingBaseball (@RushingBaseball) June 8, 2024
The awkward silence after was so loud.
https://t.co/Qi2EKSGbA3
— Erin (@erin_mmg) June 7, 2024
