WFAN afternoon co-host Craig Carton has long had ESPN MLB reporter Jeff Passan in his sights as an “enemy”, and Passan’s recent tweets directed at FOX MLB analyst Ben Verlander have given Carton plenty of fodder.
After Passan accused Verlander of “being on his knees” for Shohei Ohtani, Passan apologized on Twitter. Carton took note that Verlander hadn’t accepted the apology.
“He didn’t (accept the apology)?,” co-host Evan Roberts asked. “Because Jeff Passan claims they’re friends and they bust each others balls.”
“That’s what he claims,” countered Carton. “I’m not saying that’s not true. I’ve never met Ben Verlander. I don’t know him from Adam. Like, I know who he is but that’s it. But I was told there has been no official acceptance of that apology. Which means they’re not friends.”
Carton then questioned how much of a leash Passan has with the higher-ups at ESPN.
“I also wonder how many more cracks Jeff Passan gets at these types of situations before ESPN says ‘We’re owned by Disney, buddy. Enough’s enough,'” Carton said.
“He’s signed to a big-time contract,” Roberts replied.
“Doesn’t mean they can’t let him go,” Carton concluded.
Roberts countered that ESPN needs Passan because he’s the best MLB reporter, which Carton claimed doesn’t matter. “ESPN will drop you like that,” Carton concluded.
