Scott Van Pelt’s interview of Garrett Mitchell marred by technical difficulties on ESPN

Scott Van Pelt might be a good interviewer, but even he can’t interview someone without being able to hear that person.

After ESPN was roasted for their in-game interview of Milwaukee Brewers hero Garrett Mitchell that took away from the ninth inning of their Wild Card series playoff game against the New York Mets, their second attempt at interviewing Mitchell was marred by technical difficulties.

Immediately after Milwaukee defeated the Mets on the heels of Mitchell’s eighth inning go-ahead two-run homer, Van Pelt welcomed the Brewers outfielder to SportsCenter. The audience at home could hear Mitchell and Van Pelt, but they couldn’t hear each other, making it difficult to conduct an interview during what was an awkward 30 seconds for ESPN.

“Willy soaked me with Gatorade, can you hear me alright?” pic.twitter.com/ptpxVvshOK

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 3, 2024

“I can’t hear anything,” Van Pelt said during the interview. “Garrett, I’m sorry, I lost you there. If it’s just me that can’t hear you, I don’t know if our folks at home can, which is just befitting.”

“I got soaked, Willy soaked me with Gatorade,” Mitchell said as he faulted teammate Willy Adames before attempting to jiggle his microphone connection. “Can you hear me alright?”

“Do you got me? Do we have him at home? Can anyone tell me? Because I don’t hear a thing in the studio,” Van Pelt said as Mitchell attempted to solicit help from someone near the dugout. “No, I don’t think it’s your fault, Garrett. And I have no ability to hear anyone.

“Up, I got ya!” Van Pelt rejoiced seconds later. “I think we’re back. Oh, this show is awesome! Who’s having a good time?”

Maybe this was just an example of technical difficulties on ESPN’s part. But it seems more likely that it was the Baseball Gods punishing ESPN for prioritizing a ninth inning interview with Mitchell from the dugout over the action on the field.

[ESPN]