ESPN Facing Backlash Over Terrible HR Derby Broadcast originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The MLB Home Run Derby is an annual home run hitting competition held the day before the All-Star Game.

First, NFL-punter-turned-podcaster Pat McAfee and producer Ty Schmit handled the introductions for the Home Run Derby participants, to the dismay of fans, many of whom felt McAfee's amped-up emceeing was loud and unnecessary.

Baseball fans on social media could unite over one thing Monday night: ESPN’s coverage of MLB Home Run Derby was dizzying, confusing and tough to watch.

MLB All-Star Game history was made with the first tiebreaking swing-off and the NL winning after blowing a 6-0 lead.

But that wasn't the only issue. The coverage was a turn-off from the start when ESPN used Pat McAfee to do player introductions despite him having no apparent connection to baseball or the host city, Atlanta. The network used the Derby as another venue to force its high-cost former punter personality down our throats. And bruh, who asked for this?

Pat McAfee reads the comments. The polarizing ESPNer scrolled through X to see what fans thought of his involvement in MLB’s Home Run Derby on Monday, and some responses made it seem like fans wanted to change the channel due to his appearance.

Known affectionately as “Big Dumper” because of his rather large rear end, Raleigh’s comedic nickname turned into a whole lot more when McAfee introduced Raleigh for the Home Run Derby.

Cincinnati Reds star Elly De La Cruz has turned down MLB Home Run Derby invitations three straight years but says he wants to eventually participate.

The first thing you notice when a home run ball starts to fly in your direction is that all your preconceived notions of how you’d react in that moment are pretty much wrong.

The 2025 MLB Home Run Derby stood as one of the marquee sporting events of July, but somebody apparently forgot to tell the ESPN broadcast planners.