iStockphoto / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Will Flemming apologized for attacking Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the air.
Controversy erupted in the series finale between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. An announcer has apologized for his comments made on the air.
Will Flemming attacked Jazz Chisholm’s baseball integrity for breaking what he believed was an unwritten rule. As it turns out, the infielder was simply following orders from his manager.
Flemming advocated for retaliation after questionable antics. He acknowledged that he crossed the line.
Since I have been receiving nonstop calls and threats, I felt like it was important to hop back on here and say: My comments during yesterday’s broadcast crossed a line. I’m emotional and a fan at heart and that bled into the broadcast.
— Will Flemming (@WillFlemming) August 31, 2026
Red Sox announcer ripped Jazz Chisholm.
In the eighth inning of a 7-1 game, Chisholm reached base with a leadoff walk. He was not being held on first base by the Boston defense, so he swiped second. And then third.
Red Sox radio broadcaster Will Flemming says Boston’s pitcher should drill Austin Wells and fight Jazz Chisholm Jr. because he thinks Chisholm is a “bush league player” that “doesn’t play the game the right way” pic.twitter.com/wtXivJobxG
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) August 31, 2026
Flemming blasted the baserunner from the booth for his supposed stat padding. He also suggested the Red Sox plunk teammate Austin Wells.
“Wouldn’t you sort of like to see (Jovani) Moran drill (Austin) Wells right here?… (Chisholm’s) a bush league player…
“Moran should fight Chisholm. He’s walking towards the third base line staring at him… Chisholm plays the game the wrong way.”
-Will Flemming
Flemming took issue with the stolen bases in a blowout. The Yankees would go onto win the game, 16-1.
New York broadcaster Michael Kay spoke to manager Aaron Boone about the situation on Monday. He says Chisholm was simply following directions.
Aaron Boone told Jazz Chisholm to steal.
Michael Kay with an interesting scoop that changes this entire story:
Jazz didn’t steal to pad his stats. Aaron Boone told him to steal, because it wasn’t a blowout yet. The Yankees were up by 6 runs at the time, and so there was still a chance they’d have to use Bednar in the… https://t.co/I09xntammx pic.twitter.com/aKvv0qik0B
— That’s Baseball, Suzyn (@Thats_BB_Suzyn) August 31, 2026
New York was up six runs at the time of the stolen bases. They took the opportunity to add insurance in order to save pitching, Kay insists.
Initially, Boone told Chisholm to stay put. It was not until he noticed the Red Sox playing off of the bag that he changed his mind. The manager placed the blame on Boston.
“Jazz walks to start the eighth inning. As he’s running down to first base, Boone shuts Jazz down, says he’s not allowed to steal. But then Boone sees that the Red Sox infield is playing behind Jazz. So, Boone yells to the Red Sox dugout, ‘No, no, no, you can’t have it both ways. You either hold him on and we won’t run, or if you’re gonna not hold him on, we are gonna run.’ [Red Sox manager] Chad Tracy didn’t react. So, the Red Sox first baseman still plays behind Jazz. So, Boone says, ‘Go steal.'”
-Michael Kay on Aaron Boone’s directive
Kay dove into Boone’s motive, noting the intention to save New York’s bullpen. The manager didn’t want to use his closer in the ninth. Had Boston gotten a few runners on in their next at-bat, he might’ve been forced to.
Of course, that point became moot later in the inning. The Yankees piled on nine runs after Jazz Chisholm’s controversial baserunning to build a 15-run lead. At the time, though, the game was much closer.
Boone had his reasons for instructing the steals. Flemming took accountability for crossing the line. The storyline will be sure to resurface should the two rivals meet in the postseason.