ESPN handed Triston Casas a microphone during the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees Sunday Night Baseball series finale.
Before he was asked the first question, Casas took off on a story about his father. The first baseman shouted his dad out and thanked him. Then, he told viewers about his father's arrest — just what every dad wants on Father's Day.
Casas recalled back to coach-pitch ball when he was around six. He walked back to his squad's dugout after a tough out, overcome with emotion. Casas described his younger self crying on the bench as his dad, José, walked over to speak with him.
"He actually grabbed me by my shirt, dragged me to the line, and Looney Tunes-style kicked me out onto the field," Casas said.
This story Triston Casas tells about his dad 😅 pic.twitter.com/VW2R8kklCX
— ESPN (@espn) June 17, 2024
The 24-year-old shared that his friend's parents called Child Protective Services on his dad and had him arrested that day. The family later apologized to Casas' father for the incident and said he didn't deserve that night in jail. But the young first baseman learned a lesson he still employs — even when he wants to cry, he owes it to his teammates and fans to keep playing.
The wild tangent wasn't the only highlight of Casas' appearance on the broadcast. After Dominic Smith lifted a high flyout to right field, ESPN's broadcast booth sent Casas on assignment.
Red Sox's Triston Casas takes over Sunday Night Baseball broadcast to share Father's Day story
He interviewed Smith about his approach at the plate, who didn't seem thrilled about the attention after an out. Maybe he thought Casas enjoyed the spotlight too much, and he wasn't the only one.
Kenley Jansen spends most of the game in the bullpen, so he sent Brayan Bello as a representative to talk to Casas. Through Bello, Jansen told Casas to give up the mic because he talks too much. Bello got the microphone out of Casas' hand for a moment, but he was back in command for the rest of the frame.
Boston has struggled without its slugging first baseman in the lineup, and it appeared Casas was struggling without baseball at the beginning of his stint on the injured list. He, characteristically, found the positive in his two months on the shelf — he has a broadcasting career in his future.