MLB commissioner Rob Manfred received the Roger Goodell treatment Tuesday night, getting viciously booed by fans as he attempted to present the World Series trophy to the Dodgers.
The ensuing times Manfred had to speak on-air, he sounded rattled and under the influence of some element. But many broadcasters came to the commissioner’s defense after he gave his less than polished interview to FOX reporter Tom Verducci, explaining feedback must have disordered Manfred.
It sounded as if FOX accidentally aired the interview in slow motion, but despite some fans being concerned for Manfred’s health, many media members stuck with feedback as the likely culprit.
Here’s audio of Manfred from the 2019 interview Colin Dunlap was referring to. The commissioner sounds very similar to the way he did Tuesday night in Arlington.
The context of Manfred’s answer in the video was in reference to Verducci asking about Justin Turner needing to leave the game early because of a positive COVID-19 test. Turner’s positive test was the first in 59 days for Major League Baseball, but it will likely be the most scrutinized as he later returned to the field to celebrate with teammates.
Verducci only got one question to the commissioner about what might turn out to be one of the biggest baseball stories in 2020, but he likely recognized the difficulty Manfred was having. Whatever variable caused Manfred to sound like he was talking in slow motion would have hindered the ability to have a coherent conversation on live television.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
