Some Shun In-Game Interviews

As ESPN trumpets live in-game interviews as the latest innovation on its national Sunday broadcasts, players and managers are resisting those appearances and wondering when television networks will be satisfied with covering a game rather than intruding in it.

“This isn’t a TV show,” Seattle Mariner infielder Bret Boone said. “This is serious work.”

For its broadcast of Sunday’s game between the Angels and Oakland Athletics, ESPN has requested interviews with the managers between innings and the starting pitchers after they are out of the game. Angel Manager Mike Scioscia and Oakland Manager Ken Macha have refused, and the scheduled starters -- Kelvim Escobar for the Angels and Barry Zito for the A’s -- said Friday they were undecided.

Zito, the 2002 American League Cy Young Award winner, said he would discuss the issue with teammates but wondered whether ESPN, by conducting interviews during action, would be presenting the game with proper respect.

Said Zito: “You can’t just treat it as if it’s something trivial.”

Said Tim Scanlan, ESPN senior coordinating producer: “Whenever you make progress, sometimes it can be uncomfortable.”

Major league officials approved the ESPN request to talk with managers and players during a game but did not mandate participation, Scanlan said. During the first two weeks of the Sunday ESPN broadcasts, three of four starting pitchers and one of four managers -- the San Francisco Giants’ Felipe Alou -- agreed to interviews.

The Alou interview extended into the start of an inning, an error Scanlan attributed to the late arrival of a headset. Rex Hudler, the Angels’ color analyst and a former major leaguer, said he was shocked to see Alou giving answers and signs at the same time.

Scanlan said manager interviews should not extend beyond two questions or 60 seconds. He said that halftime interviews with NFL and NBA coaches typically are uninformative and said he wanted to focus on managerial strategy, perhaps an explanation of a hit-and-run play or the decision to remove a starter.

“We don’t want to ask puffball questions,” he said.

Scioscia provides answers after the game. He said the dugout is a work environment even between innings.

“The game is always moving. Decisions are always being contemplated,” Scioscia said. “There’s definitely some things we can do to help bring a better understanding of the game, but that’s a line I know I’m not comfortable crossing.”

Scioscia and Macha each indicated he would not forbid players out of the game from giving interviews.

“I can understand trying to make it more appealing to the viewer,” Angel pitcher Jarrod Washburn said. “It wouldn’t bother me. I’ve never really minded talking to the media. I’m sure there will be some guys opposed to it.”

Said Hudler: “I think it’s fresh. I like it. If I were pitching, I’d love to give some insight, especially if I still had sweat coming off. The fan loves that.”

As the Angels’ designated hitter, Tim Salmon is a logical target for an interview, either after he leaves the game or, in the future, between at-bats.

In an exhibition setting -- spring training or the All-Star game -- Salmon said he had no problem with the concept. When games count, he said, players should not divide their attention between a game and an interview.

“To me, that’s just out of line for a regular-season game,” he said. “If the game’s going on, I think it’s wrong to be talking.”