Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette knows that sport as well as anyone, knowledge he’s parlayed into a high-profile analyst role with the NHL on TNT.
But when it comes to his MLB knowledge … let’s just say Bissonnette is a very good NHL broadcaster.
The player affectionately known as “Biz Nasty” appeared on Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take podcast Friday, where he talked about the upcoming Stanley Cup Final.
The talk eventually got around to baseball, and the hosts decided to test Bissonnette’s MLB chops.
.@BizNasty2point0 attempts to name 5 baseball players@DraftKings #dkpartner pic.twitter.com/q3wMg0SIzM
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) June 7, 2024
“How many baseball players can you name right now?” co-host Eric Sollenberger (aka “PFT Commenter”) asked Bissonnette.
Sounds simple enough. Even casual baseball fans can name two or three players on most teams, more on the marquee franchises.
Shortly after Bissonnette began his answer, it became clear naming five players would be a huge challenge for him.
“Bryce Harper,” Bissonnette quickly said, getting an easy one out of the way. “Who’s the guy, (Christian) Yelich? I like him.”
Bissonnette then named New York Yankees slugger “Carlos Stanton,” close enough to Giancarlo Stanton that the PMT hosts agreed to give him the answer.
Then came an awkward moment.
“Who’s the guy who got busted with the gambling?” Bissonnette asked.
“You got this,” co-host Dan “Big Cat” Katz said encouragingly.
“Ohtani?”
“Yeah,” the co-hosts said in unison.
“Oshanti Ohtani?” Bissonnette continued.
“Who’s the guy in Anaheim, he’s the big dog … I think it starts with a ‘T,’ doesn’t it?” Bissonnette said, thinking hard.
“Yeah, it’s a fish,” PFT Commenter said.
“Oh, Trout, Mike Trout — thanks for that,” Bissonnette said.
Seemingly happy to get five players, Bissonnette continued on, naming one more player, former Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto.
It’s not a good sign for MLB that Bissonnette had to think hard to name Ohtani and primarily associated him with the gambling scandal earlier this year involving his interpreter.
One fan who caught the podcast made a good point about Bissonnette’s MLB knowledge.
This is what I would sound like if I had to name 5 hockey players lol https://t.co/pZ2GZO4dlm
— Tom Glockk (@tomglockk) June 7, 2024
[Pardon My Take]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.