ESPN analyst Chris Russo launched a fiery on-air critique of Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, labeling the young player's discussion of a conspiracy theory about Babe Ruth as "disgraceful."
Appearing on ESPN's First Take, Russo expressed strong disapproval of Crow-Armstrong's remarks, which originated from an appearance on Kristin Cavallari's podcast. The Cubs star, 24, recounted hearing a rival pitcher discuss a theory that Babe Ruth may have never existed. Crow-Armstrong suggested that even if Ruth was real, pitchers might have been "underhanding the ball" to him, thus diminishing his legendary status.
"Babe Ruth never existed is one that I like," Crow-Armstrong said on the podcast, according to ESPN. "We always talk about how the game is evolving, people might as well have been like underhanding the ball to that guy. And he's regarded still as one of the best players ever. Might as well dive further into it and be like, well, maybe he just never existed."
Russo, a veteran radio host known for his passionate takes, did not hold back during his response.
"Hey Pete, you're talking to me now about Ruth!" Russo exclaimed. "Nobody hit home runs like Babe. Say what you want about Ohtani, we understand that he's a unicorn."
Russo highlighted Ruth's prolific career, noting that he hit 27 home runs over 500 feet. He contrasted this with Barry Bonds, who he stated never hit a ball that far. "Ruth owned baseball, nobody hit home runs like Ruth! He out-homered leagues! To sit there and say they were pitching underhand, well why didn't anybody else hit the home runs hitting underhand?"
Russo voiced frustration with a perceived trend of active players disparaging historical sports figures.
"Outside of [Lou] Gehrig, nobody hit home runs!" Russo stated. "It drives me crazy, especially in baseball, it drives me crazy when I hear today's athletes and media guys who are 30 years old, who disparage the old-time guys".
The ESPN analyst further emphasized Ruth's dual threat as a pitcher and hitter, pointing out that Ruth led the Boston Red Sox to World Series titles as a pitcher before becoming baseball's preeminent power hitter. "Are you crazy? He would have been a Hall of Famer as a pitcher, forget as a hitter," Russo concluded. "There's only one Babe Ruth... And when you start to knock Ruth… pay attention, do your homework. That was a disgrace what he said this week."