Baseball isn’t exactly Stephen A. Smith’s cup of tea, but that did not stop the ESPN personality from commenting on Sunday’s World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Team USA and the Dominican Republic at the LoanDepot Park in Miami, Fla.
After Bryce Harper doubled off Dominican Republic pitcher Luis Severino in the third inning, Smith acknowledged the two-time National League Most Valuable Player’s “bat speed.”
“Whoa! @bryceharper3’s bat speed didn’t look slow on that double, though :-). USA gotta score here though. Severino is pitching his ass off for the DR!” Smith posted on X.
That was a fine observation from Smith, but he reacted to it late in internet time, which fans on social media were quick to point out, with some cracking jokes about Smith possibly using outdated technology that caused the delay.
You’re about 10 minutes behind ….refresh
— blake (@bbqbaseball62) March 16, 2026
Are you on a 56k modem?
— IH (@IHNYC3) March 16, 2026
Internet explorer
— Tony X (@soIoucity) March 16, 2026
Unc what IPTV you watching ?
— Here We Go Again (@PHLSportsFan) March 16, 2026
Brotha you’re 20 minutes behind
— Matt (@karskiMD) March 16, 2026
Smith, however, hasn’t posted anything about the controversial end of the game, but he’s probably saving it for later.
Fans can perhaps expect to hear more from Smith about Team USA and the World Baseball Classic, whether they love to or not, as the Americans booked their ticket to the championship game by defeating Juan Soto and company, 2-1.
Harper and company will next face the winner of the other semifinal, between Venezuela and Italy, on Monday, also at LoanDepot Park.
