I can't believe what ESPN is doing. Interviewing manager Ron Gardenhire during a game? Are you kidding me? It was unheard of to interview a manager, coach or player in the dugout during a regular season game. It was kind of like taboo. Managers have to keep thinking strategy and pitch counts and moves throughout the game, even in-between innings. So the last thing they have time for is someone like Jon Miller or Joe Morgan to be snooping down to the bench for an in-game interview.

This is unheard of. ESPN what are you thinking? In the NFL, in the NBA and up until now in MLB there's never been interivews during a regular season game.

On the other hand if this was a distraction for Ron one would think he would tell the ESPN guys "Please not during the game" Perhaps he likes the attention and the spotlight. eek!

Interviewing the managers during a game is nothing new. ESPN did it last year, as did Fox. It was done on local telecasts as well -- at least the Phillies did. In fact, the Phils had a few things on their telecasts that the networks were doing (like putting a microphone on a player) and asked people to take a survey at their website for feedback, so I assume other teams did it as well.

ESPN isn't doing anything that MLB didn't approve of first. So if you have an issue with it, blame MLB. As for the theory that Ron Gardenhire likes the spotlight, he is a disciple (and near clone) of former manager Tom Kelly, in a word-no.

ESPN interviews coaches--and players--on their way to the locker room following the first half of college football games, during intermssions of hockey games, and (ESPN Radio) has even talked to relief pitchers in the bullpen duiring a game's early innings. How does interviewing a manager during a game differ? I'm opposed to interviews with participants during any aspect of the game itself--including halftime and intermissions--but think that ship has sailed.

~Adam

I watched a Colorado Mammoth lacrosse game on TV a while back (shut up!), and they interviewed one of the players during halftime. After two questions, the player said, "I'm sorry - I'm gonna have to go get yelled at now" and left. I liked that - maybe other coaches/players can do the same.

LXN

I know that NFL coaches are obligated by the league to stop for interviews as they head into the lockerroom at halftime. The networks have that in their contract with the NFL. ESPN must have worked out a similar deal with MLB. Otherwise I could see most managers telling these guys to go to hell.