The MLB Postseason is just getting rolling, but one game in the Wild Card round hit major broadcast issues. That was the second game between the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros, which had a significant period of time late where the ESPN on ABC call from Michael Kay, Todd Frazier, Tim Kurkjian, and Alden Gonzalez both sounded like they were underwater and wasn’t properly synced with the video feed. Here’s one example of that:
Here’s Michael Kay, Tim Kurkjian, and Todd Frazier sounding like they’re underwater during the Tigers-Astros ABC broadcast for a couple of minutes in the 8th inning (with the audio/video syncing also off). βΎοΈπΊποΈπ΅βπ« #MLB pic.twitter.com/lilI2UGrbw
β Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 2, 2024
That drew a lot of comment. Here’s some of that:
Sounds like they quite literally went to a phone backup. I’ve heard it happen before when things get totally f***ed behind the scenes.
β Shawn Tempesta π°ξ¨ (@ShawnTempesta) October 2, 2024
Sounds like a radio call from the 80s
β TB (@uffan92) October 2, 2024
Good game, painful broadcast. Issues everywhere.
β Neal (@nealarogers) October 2, 2024
Indeed, as that last poster noted, there were lots of complaints about audio (and video) issues throughout this broadcast, not just at this point.
Not only is the sound messed up, itβs behind. Very annoying.
β H. JosΓ© Bosch π΅π· γ½οΈπ (@HJBosch21) October 2, 2024
ESPN cannot even get the audio synced up
There is no shot they are showing the ball down the line https://t.co/C84B8Uh7IZ
β Detroit Sports Fan (@DetSports5) October 2, 2024
I always dread baseball on ESPN. For most of the game the audio sounded like they were using 2 Dixie cups and a piece of string then, on a 3 run double into the left field corner, they had not a single shot of the ball hitting fair.
β Melissa Kenny (@mskenny) October 2, 2024
The audio ESPN got going on ABC for the post season sound like i’m listening through cup and string. Not even bodega gummi headphones.
β My Fault (@uglynewyork) October 2, 2024
Just an absolute massive embarrassment from @ABC and @ESPN.
Audio not working for a THIRD-straight inning of an elimination playoff game? Totally unacceptable.
β πππππππ πππ πππππ (@Section344Lions) October 2, 2024
The audio was eventually fixed, though, and Michael Kay’s call of the final play drew some plaudits:
“THE MOTOWN MAGIC CONTINUES!” Here’s Michael Kay’s ABC call of the Tigers wrapping up their Wild Card sweep of the Astros. pic.twitter.com/3zQYfDSrav
β Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 2, 2024
ESPN and ESPN2 have the remaining three Wild Card games Wednesday, and they and ABC will carry any necessary third games Thursday. Hopefully those broadcasts will go a bit more smoothly on the technical side.
[Awful Announcing on X]