MLB’s Accidental NSFW Broadcast While Discussing Elly De La Cruz’s Identical 5’8 Twin Leaves Fans in Splits

Elly De La Cruz has quickly become one of the most electrifying young stars in MLB. Known for his blazing speed, powerful bat, and jaw-dropping athleticism, he brings a flair to the game that few can match. Moreover, his flamboyant style and animated on-field antics have made him a fan favorite, but at times, a polarizing figure.

With that kind of charisma comes the occasional awkward moment, especially when emotions run high or celebrations cross an invisible line. That was the case during a recent matchup between the Braves and Reds, where a particularly bold gesture left broadcasters and fans alike doing a double-take. It also raised an interesting question: how do MLB broadcasts handle moments between entertainment and controversy?

To highlight the personality and background of De La Cruz, the FanDuel Sports Network South broadcast showed a pair of photos featuring the Reds shortstop and his twin brother, Pedro. The intent was lighthearted, aiming to showcase the dramatic height difference between the 6-foot-5 Elly and his 5-foot-8 brother. But it wasn’t the height disparity that caught viewers off guard. You check the clip and you will get it!

from the Braves broadcast and OH NO pic.twitter.com/G8zLeuPaN6

— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 9, 2025

In one of the photos, Elly’s twin brother, Pedro, is seen flipping off the camera, a gesture that made it onto national television. The moment quickly sparked reactions from fans online, raising eyebrows and prompting questions about the process behind the scenes of MLB broadcasts. How could such an image slip through? Who’s responsible for screening visuals? And more broadly, how do networks balance entertainment, authenticity, and editorial oversight in a live sports setting?

“There’s the difference. Elly is just under 6′ 6″ and Pedro is 5′ 8″, but they are twins,” the Braves play-by-play announcer Brandon Gaudin said, maintaining composure at first. But he couldn’t help but join in the laughter, adding a bemused “How ’bout that?” as the moment played out live.

While the picture clearly shows the height difference between Elly and Pedro, all the eyes went towards Pedro’s hand visuals. Well, the gesture wasn’t acknowledged on air, but the tone said enough. It just made the fans wonder how the picture could have gone live on air.

Fans are left wondering about De La Cruz’s antics

While the fans are all agreeing with the flamboyance of De La Cruz, does that mean flipping off the camera is fine? Well, the fans are wondering about the broadcasters, rather than blaming the slugger: “their producer did this on purpose bro knows who they got in the booth”

their producer did this on purpose bro knows who they got in the booth https://t.co/wiyJWx55dT

— Chef Ocho (PETE CROW-ARMSTRONG DISCIPLE) (@chasebetta1) May 9, 2025

Is the photo shown on the camera just because Brandon Gaudin is present in the booth? Well, the Braves announcer is known for his no-holds-barred approach and witty nature. Give him any context, and you can be sure that a witty response is on the way. Once on a podcast with The Press Box, Gaudin has spoken frankly about rejection in the industry. “ESPN told me no so many times, I started to think they were an ex I never dated,” he quipped. That’s what sums up Gaudin, and the producer knew it.

“They not see buddy flipping the bird in that picture?” Ahh, the question all fans are asking. MLB’s broadcasting rule says otherwise. Networks carrying MLB games (like FOX, ESPN, TBS, etc.) must adhere to FCC regulations and MLB’s broadcast policies, which prohibit offensive material from being aired. So yes, the incident involving Elly De La Cruz seems to be an unintentional one, and not something focused on the obscene part.

What is the difference between an official MLB channel with any fan-made or satirical ones? Certain things don’t get broadcast officially by MLB. However, following the Elly De La Cruz incident, fans are wondering if MLB Network is becoming a fan account: “Just became a Pedro De La Cruz fan account.” Well, these things are not new in MLB. Remember Keith Hernandez‘s antics in 2018? During a Mets broadcast, Hernandez inadvertently showed his middle finger to the camera while discussing an injury. Realizing the mistake, he quickly apologized, and the moment became a lighthearted viral clip.

Atlanta Braves broadcast just shows picture of Elly De La Cruz's twin brother flipping the audience off. Elly's twin brother is just 5'8. Hilarious that they didn't catch this before giving it the okay to air. #Reds #mlb pic.twitter.com/reQBNgxK2o

— The Voice of Reason (@SportsAndStock1) May 9, 2025

Another fan pointed out: “Atlanta Braves broadcast just shows picture of Elly De La Cruz’s twin brother flipping the audience off. Elly’s twin brother is just 5’8. Hilarious that they didn’t catch this before giving it the okay to air.” It is an error from the broadcaster’s end that they didn’t review the content before putting it on air. Again, MLB broadcasts are no new to bloopers. For the unversed, flipping the finger does not carry the same level of offense in the Dominican Republic as it does in many Western countries like the United States or Canada. While the gesture may be understood due to global media, it’s generally not as culturally loaded or taboo. While De La Cruz from the Dominican Republic might find it common to pose for a picture with his brother flipping the finger, the American broadcast did the mess showing it.

Why they use it producer must be a troll or Gen Z

— Ryan (@topofgame5986) May 9, 2025

Another fan chimed in with: “Why they use it producer must be a troll or Gen Z.” Yes, Gen Z is more flexible towards flipping the finger at the boomers and others. Troll pages are also known for offering lewd posts. Now, with this incident, fans are wondering if the MLB broadcast is getting run by some troll pages or Gen Z guys. Expected, there were moments where a few on-field obscene gestures got showcased, but sharing something only on air? This season is offering a few new moments for the fans.

This incident showcases the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the official broadcast. What do you think MLB should put in place to filter the content before it goes live?

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