During Saturday’s game between the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals, third baseman Mark Vientos exited early due to an injury, but that didn’t stop the Fox broadcast from engaging viewers in a conversation about food instead of the game. As the telecast returned from a commercial break at the beginning of the fifth inning, a montage of New York City food appeared. Following New York pitcher Kodai Senga’s first pitch, the camera shifted focus to a menu at one of Citi Field’s concession stands.
Play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti updated fans on Vientos’ status, stating he was replaced by Brett Baty. However, just as Benetti was about to dive deeper into the injury details, the topic shifted back to the food. “That’s a pretty expensive chicken tender and fry for Adam Wainwright’s dollar,” he remarked, to which Wainwright asked, “I missed it, what was it?” Benetti replied, “$16.39. You’re not spending that.” The discussion about the hefty price tags on chicken tenders and fries at Citi Field not only distracted from the injury update but also almost caused them to miss a double from St. Louis’ Thomas Saggese.
“Not great news for the Mets right now. Mark Vientos is out of the game, as (Brett) Baty is in. That’s a pretty expensive chicken tender and fry… $16.39.” – Jason Benetti on the Cardinals-Mets Fox broadcast at Citi Field⚾️🎙️ #MLB pic.twitter.com/OQFoMqeEGy
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 19, 2025
Though Benetti eventually began to call the hit, the chat quickly reverted to the food topic. “Yeah, New York is great food but not the cheapest,” Wainwright noted, recalling his own $95 omelette from breakfast. While $16.39 for chicken tenders and fries, and $95 for an omelette might be excessive, many viewers were less than pleased with the commentary’s direction.
Just a heads up to the Fox broadcasters. You can’t just say “bad news, Mark Vientos is out and Baty is in” and then instead of telling us why, you start commenting on the price of chicken tenders.
Why is he out?
— Annie (@mentalmommy_) April 19, 2025
“Mark Vientos is out of the game, my omelette this morning was $95” wild commentary from the FOX Booth. https://t.co/NbtZELCKve
— The 7 Line (@The7Line) April 19, 2025
this broadcast is unlistenable oh my lord. how are you going to mention that mark vientos just unexpectedly left the game, interrupt yourselves to joke about chicken tenders, and then never return to the vientos story
— stephen (@alsostephenking) April 19, 2025
“The Hindenburg is on fire and it’s crashing! This is the worst of the worst catastrophes in the world! Oh, the huma… would you look at the price of those chicken tenders!”
— TonyD3942 (@Td7653) April 20, 2025
Horrible. One sentence for a player being swapped out early, to talking about food and missing calling a double until it drops in, then straight back to food for another whole inning. @MLBONFOX is an embarrassment
— Jesse Pratti (@Jesse_pratti) April 19, 2025
After the game, both Vientos and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza conveyed that the injury was not serious. Although fans are relieved by this news, it’s understandable that many viewers were annoyed by the broadcast’s focus on food rather than providing clarity on Vientos’ status.
