One of the great aspects of the World Baseball Classic has been the opportunity to watch just how much these games mean to the players. Every moment seems extra important, and that pride brings out a personality you just don’t see in many MLB games.
That’s what makes it awfully disappointing that the U.S. audience is stuck with John Smoltz as the Fox color commentator. Smoltz is notoriously old school and often sounds like he’s in physical pain whenever a player dares to flip his bat or show emotion.
That kind of attitude was on display during Monday’s World Baseball Classic semifinal between Japan and Mexico. When Randy Arozarena robbed Kazuma Okamoto of a home run in the fifth inning, Smoltz seemed more annoyed with Arozarena’s fake-out celebration than he was impressed with the actual catch.
Smoltz said that Arozarena was grandstanding — a negative way of describing what had occurred.
That Mexico fan’s reaction to Randy Arozarena taking the home run away there from Kazuma Okamoto. pic.twitter.com/do6X3FcvxW
— Andrew Jones (@TWDTV1) March 21, 2023
In the full exchange, play-by-play announcer Joe Davis asked, “How much fun is Randy Arozarena to watch?” Smoltz was silent before quipping, “Not good for a play-by-play announcer, though.” However, Davis was all over the call as the catch happened live.
RANDY ROBS IT!!! MY GOODNESS 🤯😳
📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/qmtqs6NVfE
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 21, 2023
It was fine for a play-by-play announcer and actually a great call from Davis.
Smoltz seemingly couldn’t just enjoy a sensational catch and fun moment from one of the WBC’s most entertaining players.
Baseball fans also didn’t appreciate the “grandstanding” remark from Smoltz.