It was all fun and games in the Fox studio—until Hitler was invoked.

During the postgame show following the New York Yankees’ dramatic 9–6 comeback victory in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Toronto Blue Jays, panelists David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter were asked how to pronounce rookie right-hander Cam Schlittler’s name. Without missing a beat, Ortiz quipped, “Sounds like Hitler,” prompting a round of awkward laughter. SI+3New York Post+3SI+3

As the clock neared midnight after a long broadcast schedule, the reaction was swift. Jeter cut in: “Alright, let’s go to a break, guys.” Meanwhile, Fox broadcaster Kevin Burkhardt chimed in: “Papi, you just call him Cam. And maybe it’ll be Mr. Cam, depending on how he pitches tomorrow.” SI+3New York Post+3Awful Announcing+3

This bizarre moment emerged in the midst of a game that nearly didn’t allow for a “tomorrow.” The Yankees faced a daunting 6–1 deficit in the third inning earlier in the evening. Starter Carlos Rodon lasted only seven outs, and manager Aaron Boone’s rotation continued to struggle in the ALDS. New York Post+2AP News+2

But New York’s bullpen held firm, buying time until the bats came alive. Leading the charge was Aaron Judge, whose towering three-run homer in the fourth inning knotted the game at 6–6. The momentum had swung. SI+3New York Post+3AP News+3

The broadcast crew had already been stretched by an extended pregame show due to a rain delay in Detroit—delays that even forced Jeter to miss a parent-teacher conference. Despite the fatigue, the trio (Ortiz, A-Rod, Jeter) earned praise for their energy and chemistry during both the pregame and postgame segments. SI+3New York Post+3Awful Announcing+3

Fans online took notice. One X (formerly Twitter) user, @yanksaholic, responded to a post about Schlittler: “They should get this crew together more often. Probably won’t come close to it entertainment-wise, but feels like Inside the NBA sometimes.” New York Post

Their turnaround was quick: this same quartet was scheduled to return less than 24 hours later for the Yankees’ must-win Game 4—where Schlittler would be on the mound opposite a bullpen game from Toronto. New York Post+2SI+2

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Additional Context & Repercussions

Ortiz’s “Hitler” joke didn’t just surface in a vacuum—it was widely covered by sports media and generated intense backlash and second-guessing about broadcasting decorum. New York Post+3Awful Announcing+3SI+3

Per Sports Illustrated, Ortiz ultimately decided he would avoid using Schlittler’s last name in future broadcasts, preferring to stick with “Cam” to sidestep further controversy. SI

Awful Announcing argued that while Ortiz’s quip pushed the postgame show “off the rails,” the show’s balance of insight, humor, and insider access still makes it baseball’s version of Inside the NBA. Awful Announcing

Meanwhile, Schlittler’s on-field performance has largely overshadowed the verbal misstep. As a rookie, he already turned heads. In his postseason debut against Boston in the Wild Card Game, he threw eight scoreless innings, striking out 12 without issuing a walk—setting a Yankees playoff debut record. Bleacher Report+3AP News+3thesource.com+3

Behind the scenes, Schlittler revealed some of the pressure he faced. Before that Wild Card showdown, he texted his family: “Don’t respond. Stay away from it. I’ll handle it—on the mound.” Bleacher Report

In short: a lighthearted moment on the broadcast turned into a lightning rod for discussion about boundaries, respect, and sports media—but the real story remains Schlittler’s emergence on the mound.