Payton Tolle Steps up as World Series MLB Correspondent

WHO:

MLB.com - Payton Tolle turns 24 on Sunday; the article describes him as Boston’s prized left-handed pitcher.

MLB.com - Payton Tolle, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound Boston left-handed pitcher, served as one of MLB’s player correspondents for the World Series between the Brewers and Rays.

MLB.com - Tolle interviewed Brewers players Garrett Mitchell, Chad Patrick, Brice Turang, Aaron Ashby and Christian Yelich, as well as Boston teammate Kyle Harrison.

Boston.com - The article also identified Payton Tolle as an MLB correspondent covering the World Series.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Tolle’s on-field antics included hugging an opponent while tagging him out and doing a pushup on the mound between pitches.

MLB.com - In describing his Yelich joke beforehand, Tolle said, “I’m going to tell everybody that Christian Yelich is their best friend. We’re going to see how that works out.”

MLB.com - Brewers fans told Tolle they needed their own identity beyond the Packers’ cheesehead hats; Tolle tried on an oversized bottle-cap hat.

MLB.com - Tolle carried out correspondent duties during media day and in the lead-up to Game 1, participating in interviews and fan activities.

MLB.com - Tolle rode the Bernie Brewer slide at American Family Field. Before going down, he said, “I’m having trouble catching my breath right now. I’m nervous. This is for content, right?” Afterward, he said, “I’m good. I’m in one piece. I didn’t pee myself.”

MLB.com - Tolle told interviewees that Yelich had said they were his best friend. Mitchell said Yelich had helped him stay focused and learn to be a professional player. Turang said they shared lockers and that Yelich had treated him well and answered his questions. Ashby called it an “unbelievable compliment” and said Yelich had taken him under his wing.

MLB.com - Yelich responded to Tolle’s question about his best friend on the team: “I mean, all of them, honestly.” Tolle replied, “That is the best answer you could have given.”

MLB.com - Tolle joined Brewers fans tailgating, ate bratwurst, called American Family Field the league’s No. 1 tailgating spot, and tried on a fan’s oversized bottle-cap hat.

Boston.com - The article’s excerpt quoted Tolle saying, “I’m good. I’m in one piece. I didn’t pee myself.”

WHERE:

MLB.com - Tolle rode the Bernie Brewer slide and tailgated at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The article says Tolle turns 24 on Sunday.

WHY:

MLB.com - Tolle’s correspondent role gave him an opportunity to conduct interviews and join fan activities around the World Series.

HOW:

MLB.com - Tolle told Chad Patrick, “Well, I don’t want to misquote him,” when Patrick questioned whether Yelich had said the teammates were his best friends.

MLB.com - Tolle used a joke about Yelich naming teammates as his best friends to prompt reactions, then asked Yelich directly who his best friend on the team was.

Boston pitcher Payton Tolle brought plenty of personality to his role as a World Series correspondent, interviewing Brewers players and joining fans at American Family Field in Milwaukee. He joked that Christian Yelich had called each teammate his best friend, prompting stories about Yelich’s support before Yelich said, “I mean, all of them, honestly.” Tolle also rode the Bernie Brewer slide, tried on an oversized bottle-cap hat and joined a tailgate, declaring the ballpark the league’s top spot for tailgating.