Ex-Red Sox Pitcher Uncovers Impact Hot Take Culture Has On Players

Adam Ottavino spent a lone season with the Boston Red Sox and 15 years in a big league clubhouse, and through that time, the veteran relief pitcher has noticed a common theme regarding sports media’s “hot take” culture — specifically its impact on players.

Journalism and professional sports go hand in hand, as they have since the dawn of time. But the surge in strongly opinionated, conclusion-drawing sometimes generated by speculation rather than a factual basis has its trickle-down effect. Ottavino has watched firsthand as players have felt the brunt of the media landscape’s dark side.

“I think it definitely leaks into your confidence,” Ottavino told Joon Lee, formerly of ESPN. “It’s at a point where I know a lot of guys, as the season goes on, they feel more comfortable on the road. Cause at home, they feel like whatever they’ve read on X or whatever is basically the opinion of their home team fans. So even if that’s not true, they’re feeling like they’re playing in a negative environment and they don’t want to be looked at even worse, and that stuff starts to creep in.”

Whether it’s in MLB, the NBA, NFL or NHL, players everywhere have encountered their fair share of unfair criticism. It doesn’t end in a writer’s stance or a media personality’s words. Sometimes, those opinions echo into said athlete’s place of work, which could trigger a mental tug-of-war battle all derived from someone’s take.

Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran became the latest to unveil his mental health struggles, driven by feelings of failing to live up to expectations. Duran, who during Netflix’s docuseries titled “The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox,” confessed to a suicide attempt during the 2022 season. He was battling internal thoughts of inadequacy coupled with the outside noise from the media taking heads, pelting Duran with harshly worded criticism from his rookie season struggles.

It’s a topic that traditionally doesn’t receive a level of consideration that reflects its deep impact on professional athletes everywhere.

Ottavino tagged along for Boston’s most recent playoff appearance during the 2021 season, but the Northeastern product experienced the same trial of self-doubt years before ever joining the Red Sox.

“I remember reading something,” Ottavino recalled. “… (One fan on social media) claims to be an injury expert and he basically said my delivery is going to — I’m just gonna end up on the surgery table sooner rather than later, and never really get off the ground. So that was something that immediately, like, I wanted to reject it, but I also (thought), ‘What if he’s right?’ and you start second-guessing your process and things like that.”

Boston took a flier on running it back with Ottavino out of its bullpen by signing the 39-year-old to a minor league contract during spring training. Ottavino struggled and recorded a 10.80 ERA across five innings of preseason work, which prompted the Red Sox to release Ottavino before finalizing their Opening Day roster.

Ottavino soon after joined the New York Yankees, in an attempt to secure another reunion — he spent three previous seasons with the Yankees. He signed a minor league deal with New York, and after three games, the club designated Ottavino for assignment. Rather than joining the team’s farm system, Ottavino (again) chose free agency.

He remains on the open market, awaiting his next opportunity with a big league club.