Red Sox announcer Will Flemming apologizes for controversial Jazz Chisholm Jr. comments

Boston Red Sox radio announcer Will Flemming apologized for calling on the team to start a fight with Jazz Chisholm Jr. and the New York Yankees.

With the Yankees holding a 7-1 lead over the Red Sox in the eighth inning Sunday afternoon, Chisholm opted to take advantage of nobody holding him on by stealing third base. Flemming and WEEI broadcast partner Will Middlebrooks were bothered by Chisholm stealing a base with a six-run lead, believing the Red Sox were already waving the white flag by leaving him unattended.

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 responded by calling for Red Sox pitcher Jovani Morán to “drill” Yankees catcher Austin Wells, who was at bat for the controversial steal. And when Wells hit a homer instead of being hit by the pitch, Flemming suggested Morán “should fight Chisholm” on the field. After receiving criticism for both takes, Flemming returned to X Monday morning to issue a public apology.

I meant no disrespect to the Yankees players or organization. I could and should have used different words. These rivalry games get me fired up; I apologize for letting the emotion of the moment get the best of me.

— Will Flemming (@WillFlemming) August 31, 2026

“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,” Flemming admitted. “I’m emotional and a fan at heart and that bled into the broadcast.”

“I meant no disrespect to the Yankees players or organization,” the Red Sox radio voice continued. “I could and should have used different words. These rivalry games get me fired up; I apologize for letting the emotion of the moment get the best of me.”

There were probably plenty of Red Sox fans who were a few beers deep and shared Flemming’s opinion of wanting to see Morán retaliate after Chisholm stole third base. Those suggestions, however, hit different coming from a professional broadcaster.

Being a local radio announcer for an MLB team gives you the chance to let your fandom show a bit. But calling for a pitcher to “drill” or start a fight with the opposition will always be deemed as taking that fandom too far.

The one positive fallout from Flemming’s overreaction is that this might add some extra juice to the historic Yankees-Red Sox rivalry which has been largely dormant for years. If Chisholm steals third base with no comment from Flemming, it probably goes unnoticed. But even without the Red Sox retaliating, Flemming’s words should resonate with the Yankees and their fans.