Bob Nightengale may have prematurely concluded the 2024 Minnesota Twins’ season, but on Sunday, he nearly ended the life of a baseball superstar—at least momentarily on social media.
If you were scrolling through X (formerly Twitter) that morning, you might have paused to double-check what you just read. Nightengale, a USA Today columnist known for his history of social media missteps, escalated things this time. The news that San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Bryce Miller had tragically passed away at 56 from bladder cancer had just started to circulate when Nightengale, citing an article, mistakenly announced that Bryce Harper had died—yes, the star first baseman of the Philadelphia Phillies.
The damage is done, my friend. pic.twitter.com/WNGkpDklyZ
— Lord Richter Smegmaburg III (@Richard_Smegma) March 23, 2025
It took him just four minutes to rectify the mistake.
Awful news: Bryce Miller, the talented and sharp-witted columnist for the San Diego Union-Tribune, has passed away at the age of 56 from bladder cancer. https://t.co/lqr0RMcFi5
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 23, 2025
While Nightengale’s blunder was alarming, it should not overshadow the somber reality of Bryce Miller’s passing. The focus should be on honoring Miller’s life and legacy, even as we shake our heads at this latest social media gaffe, and there were plenty of shaking heads to go around.
Fucking Bob man pic.twitter.com/qGIvrEvIHj
— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) March 23, 2025
Breathtaking https://t.co/Y8c5lw580o
— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) March 23, 2025
Bob Jesus Christ
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) March 23, 2025
His name isn’t Bryce Harper, Bob. Come on.
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) March 23, 2025
There’s an edit button for verified users on X for a reason, but this misstep seems particularly questionable. While Nightengale hasn’t made such a severe error before, he does have a well-documented history of misinformation and unfortunate social media blunders. From questionable game analyses to misidentifying players, there are numerous examples.
The Dodgers are going with Ben Casparius as their owner tonight in Game 4. pic.twitter.com/pPbskjcJLd
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 29, 2024
Mets catcher Wilson Alvarez has left 5 runners on base in his first 2 at-bats, or this game could really be ugly.
Still, Mets 6, Dodgers 0.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 14, 2024
The relentless NL West wild card race:
The Padres win again
The Diamondbacks win again
The Mets win again
Atlanta wins again.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 5, 2024
Minnesota #Twins manager Rocco Baldelli on shortstop Carlos Correa’s brilliant play to nail Dante Bichette at the plate in Game 1: ‘It’s a play I think we’ll see forever in Twins history.’
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 4, 2023
The Miami #Marlins pull off 4-3 comeback victory over the #Pirates, moving closer to their first postseason berth in a full season since 2001
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 30, 2023
Trevor Bauer and the #Mets have a deal.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 5, 2021
Cleveland is definitely trading Mike Clevinger by tomorrow’s deadline, but it’s still unknown where he’s going, with teams still upping their offers. They have requested players’ physicals from at least two teams, but NOT the #Padres, who appear no longer to be the favorites.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 31, 2020
Eventful two hours pic.twitter.com/YjD5rOSVIn
— Freezing Cold Takes (@OldTakesExposed) June 23, 2020
The #Cubs get Shelby Miller from #Braves for Javy Baez per @GDubCub
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 8, 2015
Although Nightengale’s errors are unintentional, they do seem to happen more frequently than those of his peers.
