Chicago White Sox TV play-by-play broadcaster John Schriffen has had his share of public feuds during his career. Recently, comments made about Fox Sports and Peacock MLB analyst Rob Friedman, known as the “Pitching Ninja,” sparked speculation about another potential rivalry. Friedman has gained significant acclaim among baseball fans for his videos analyzing pitchers with unique arm angles or pitch movements.
During Tuesday’s game, White Sox on-field reporter Brooke Fletcher remarked on how various pitchers utilize Friedman’s social media to explore new techniques. Rather than complimenting Friedman’s contributions, Schriffen dismissed him as an authority on player development, which caught Friedman’s attention. “Pitching Ninja is a real thing,” Schriffen stated. “He’s become very popular. But if that’s how you want to find some info, go for it. It won’t be my source…”
“PitchingNinja is a real thing…he’s become very popular.
If that’s how you want to find some info, go for it.
It won’t be my source…” 🔊Appreciate it. LOL 🙄 pic.twitter.com/G0C58qbbXc
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 2, 2025
In contrast, the Pittsburgh Pirates broadcast that night demonstrated a different appreciation for Friedman’s expertise, with Pirates relief pitcher Justin Lawrence and SportsNet Pittsburgh on-field reporter Hannah Mears expressing their admiration for his work.
The Pirates broadcast shared their appreciation for @PitchingNinja (1/2) pic.twitter.com/m7fQJ47ZgN
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 2, 2025
Initially, it seemed Schriffen might have taken a jab at Friedman, but later, Friedman revealed that Schriffen had privately apologized for how his comments were perceived during the broadcast. He clarified that he simply doesn’t engage with social media anymore.
“For the record, John Schriffen apologized to me,” Friedman explained. “He meant nothing by it other than that he doesn’t use Twitter/X any longer… And he said he was a big fan. He said it just came out awkwardly.”
For the record, John Schriffen apologized to me.
He meant nothing by it other than that he doesn’t use Twitter/X any longer…and said he was a big fan. He said it just came out awkwardly.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 2, 2025
Regardless of whether one believes Schriffen was intentionally downplaying Friedman’s work, it’s a relief to see that this incident appears to have arisen from a misunderstanding. This is especially significant given Schriffen’s turbulent debut season in the White Sox booth, which was marked by a notable feud with several figures at 670 The Score.
