Red Sox radio announcer Will Fleming issued a public apology Wednesday after criticizing Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. for stealing two bases in a 7-1 blowout. Fleming called the steals "classless" during WEEI's broadcast, questioned Chisholm's character, and added commentary about a previous incident involving Yankees catcher Austin Wells. By Thursday morning, Fleming had walked it back on social media, writing that he "crossed a line" and should have "focused on the game."
The original remarks came during the eighth inning of a lopsided Tuesday night game at Yankee Stadium. Chisholm stole second and third with New York ahead by six runs. Fleming described the plays as disrespectful, invoking unwritten rules about late-game aggression in decided contests. He also referenced a May incident in which Chisholm allegedly shoved Wells during a play at the plate—a moment that drew no suspension but circulated widely on social media. The Yankees won 9-2; Chisholm went 2-for-4 with three stolen bases total on the night.
Broadcaster apologies of this speed and specificity are unusual. Regional sports networks and radio partners typically handle personnel issues quietly, and team executives rarely comment on play-by-play remarks unless sponsors or league officials raise concern. Fleming's public statement arrived within 18 hours of the broadcast, suggesting pressure from inside or adjacent to the Red Sox organization. Fenway Sports Group declined to comment Thursday, but one sponsor executive with a seven-figure Red Sox radio deal said the apology "closed the loop" before it became a weekend story. Another noted that Fleming is a known quantity—he has been with the Red Sox broadcast team since 2016 and is often mentioned as a future lead voice for NESN television.
The incident highlights a tension in local sports broadcasting: announcers are paid to represent the home team's perspective, but overtly criticizing opponents by name—especially on character grounds—can create blowback that television partners and national sponsors prefer to avoid. Fleming's remarks about Chisholm were specific and personal, not confined to criticizing the decision to steal. That specificity is what separates a forgettable hot take from a publicized apology. Chisholm, for his part, posted a cryptic Instagram story Thursday that appeared to reference the situation but did not name Fleming or the Red Sox. The Yankees' front office has not commented.
Red Sox radio broadcasts are distributed across the WEEI network, which is owned by Audacy and carries a mix of local and national advertising. Regional broadcasters have less editorial oversight than national networks, but they also have smaller margins for controversy. Fleming's quick apology likely reflects an understanding that prolonged attention would create complications for Audacy's sales team and for the Red Sox's own corporate partnerships, several of which include broadcast inventory as part of larger deals. One team executive said Fleming's statement was "the right move," though declined to elaborate on whether the organization had encouraged it.
The next Red Sox-Yankees series is scheduled for late August at Fenway Park, a three-game set that will draw heavy local and national viewership. Fleming is expected to remain on the broadcast schedule. The Red Sox are 45-48 and sit fourth in the AL East, 14.5 games behind the Yankees. Chisholm, acquired by New York from the Marlins in a July trade, is hitting .258 with 21 home runs and 28 stolen bases this season. His aggressive baserunning style has drawn praise from Yankees management and occasional criticism from opponents, but this is the first time a broadcaster's remarks have led to a formal apology.
The apology closes the immediate incident but does not resolve the broader question of how much latitude regional announcers have to editorialize on opponent behavior. Fleming's remarks were consistent with a long tradition of homer broadcasting, but the public response—and the speed of his retreat—suggest that tradition has narrower boundaries than it did a decade ago. The Red Sox's media-rights deal with NESN runs through 2030 and is worth more than $100 million annually. Fleming is not the lead television voice, but he is a regular fill-in and remains a candidate for future promotion. His Thursday apology will likely be the last public word on the matter, barring further commentary from Chisholm or the Yankees organization.
The takeaway
Broadcaster apologies rarely arrive this fast unless the organization or a sponsor asks for one; Fleming's did, which tells you who applied pressure.
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