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ESPN MLB analyst Ben McDonald caught some flak for his reaction to the network’s promotion of one of the first NHL games of the season between the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers.
McDonald was on the call for the National League Wild Card Series between the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres when the promotion appeared.
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Ben McDonald is introduced to the crowd during the Cal Ripken Jr. 2131 30th anniversary ceremony prior to an interleague game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park on Sept. 5, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Diamond Images via Getty Images)
“If you say so, good luck to them,” McDonald said when asked if he believed the Panthers could three-peat this year. “Are you asking if I’m going to be watching? … There is zero chance I’ll be watching. I’m just going to be honest with you. I will be somewhere, but there’s zero chance I’ll be watching.”
John Buccigross, who is a part of ESPN’s NHL coverage, was among those who took a jab at McDonald.
“Zero is also how many postseason innings Ben McDonald pitched in his MLB career,” he wrote on X.
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Ben McDonald during the 1990 spring training season. (USA TODAY Sports)
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McDonald explained himself on Thursday during an appearance on FOX Sports’ “Wake Up Barstool.”
“As far as the hockey stuff goes, when that thing pops up on the screen, I’ll be honest, I didn’t even know ESPN had the hockey contract,” he said. “I know they probably paid for than a dollar or two for it. I just didn’t even know that to be honest with you.
“Then, when I looked at the dates, that’s kind of the same time as playoff baseball. And if I got a choice between preseason or beginning of hockey season and October baseball, I’m probably leaning slightly toward playoff baseball.”
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Ben McDonald in action against the Chicago White Sox during the 1993 season at Comiskey Park. (USA TODAY Sports)
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Game 3 in the National League Wild Card Series between the Padres and Cubs is set for 5:08 p.m. ET.
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