Rays Reliever Pete Fairbanks Gives Us the Postgame Interview Moment of the Year

1. Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks is having a nice season, with 10 saves in 21 games while striking out 19 batters in 19 innings with a 1.89 ERA.

Fairbanks, though, had a rough Monday night, taking in the loss in Tampa Bay’s 3–2 loss to Texas after his wild pitch brought in the winning run.

While Fairbanks was tagged with the L, he won the night thanks to what might be the greatest postgame press conference moment of the 2023 MLB season.

I don’t want to give you any spoilers because I want you to go in fresh and enjoy the quote, which comes around the 20-second mark.

Pete Fairbanks won't be drinking bleach anytime soon, but he's determined to pitch better than ever ???????? pic.twitter.com/sAORdmFnv8

— Bally Sports Sun: Rays (@BallyRays) July 18, 2023

As with most things that are funny, it’s not just what Fairbanks said, but how he said it. The facial expression and the delivery were both an A+.

2. This is so great.

We often see fans in the background, while sitting in the stands, doing funny things while commentators are on camera offering analysis.

In the case of ESPN’s JJ Redick, it was his young son who decided to ham it up for the cameras while his dad was trying to opine on a Summer League game.

Knox in the background. SMH. ????. @MarkJonesESPN pic.twitter.com/FWg4OfZ4WG

— JJ Redick (@jj_redick) July 18, 2023

3. What a coincidence! The NFL is going to put one regular-season game and one playoff exclusively on Peacock this season, and lo and behold, Peacock is now raising its prices.

Peacock raises prices by $1 for its Premium tier to $5.99/mo and $2 for Premium Plus to $11.99/mo for new subscribers, and starting August 17 for existing users (@laurenforristal / TechCrunch)https://t.co/i4qvjVvGRrhttps://t.co/kdPFbvahWj

— Mediagazer (@mediagazer) July 18, 2023

4. Reds rookie Elly De La Cruz has taken MLB by storm the past few weeks, and rightfully so. This play from Monday night—the snagging the ground ball and the throw from foul territory—was just ridiculous.

Looks effortless.@ellylacocoa18 pic.twitter.com/O6n2vqgjwp

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 18, 2023

5. The Reds ground crew temporarily lost a member to the tarp Monday night.

This grounds crew member was eaten by the tarp ???????? pic.twitter.com/G0m80IQHO2

— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) July 18, 2023

6. This week’s SI Media With Jimmy Traina features a conversation with New York Post sports media reporter Andrew Marchand. Topics covered include:

• Did the NBA play a role in ESPN’s axing Jeff Van Gundy?

• What will ESPN do for its top NBA booth?

• How is Derek Jeter doing on TV?

• What’s going on with ESPN Radio?

• Tom Brady–Fox update

• Threads 

You can listen to the podcast below or download it on Apple, Spotify and Google.

You can also watch SI Media With Jimmy Traina on YouTube.

7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: This is my favorite story of the day, and I'm fully Team Miranda Lambert here even though I couldn't name one of her songs.

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the SI Media With Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.