Padres News: ESPN Analyst Provides Weak Excuse for National TV Tatis Diss

The cringe should have came before the thought was said.

Look, we get it. This recent San Diego Padres vs Los Angeles Dodgers series was never going to be perfect for either side and not just in a baseball aspect. In fact, every game was decided by three runs or less with Sunday's matchup going to extra innings. It was beautiful from an entertainment factor.

However, the Friars slipped up early and even if it was just their video team, their decision to throw shots at Clayton Kershaw reflected the whole organization in a negative light.

But we must address the comments made by Eduardo Perez, an esteemed ESPN analyst who was calling the Padres and Dodgers Sunday game that was being nationally televised. Perez opted to use this platform to blatantly disrespect Fernando Tatis Jr. and claim that he is not a real superstar compared to Mookie Betts.. have a look for yourself.

“That’s what a Super Star looks like Nando”

Eduardo Perez just wants to be hated in San Diego pic.twitter.com/Xh5VqwVDmt

— Barstool Baseball (@StoolBaseball) May 8, 2023

Betts had just hit a huge home run at the this time in the ninth inning to tie the game so obviously spirits were high for Dodgers fans. However, the job of someone calling a nationally televised game is to not only remain neutral but to also set an example for those that are tuning in.

Certain fans only look to cause trouble and spread negativity during a rival series like this and Perez only added fuel to the fire. Nando has only played in 15 games this season and it's his first time playing with his clubhouse since 2021. He's already dealing with a crazy amount of heckling from the MLB so it's sad to see a respected analyst join in.

Perez has since come out with an explanation for this and says he plans to apologize to Tatis.

"As soon as I said it, I cringed."@PerezEd explains and apologizes for his comments on Sunday Night Baseball.@espn | #FernandoTatisJr | #MookieBetts | @StevePhillipsGM pic.twitter.com/YC5TnF5ZnR

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) May 8, 2023

"As soon as I said it, I cringed," said Perez. "You look at the screen because you're trying to see and follow where the director is going as well. By coincidence, it was Fernando Tatis Jr. that popped up on the screen. It could've been anybody else and I said 'Nando, this is what superstars look like.' And I cringed a bit and I own it 100% because I saw the replay and I'm going 'Dang, that sounded terrible.' This is one that I'll also apologize to the player because that's not who I am."

(Via MLB Network Radio)

El Niño has not been fazed by any hate towards him this season so it will not likely change here. Hopefully this is an example of what not to do by analysts moving forward this year.