Por Renan Filho · 2026-09-29**Lead**
Actor **Chazz Palminteri** went on a blistering, profanity‑laced tirade against St. Louis Cardinals pitcher **Sonny Gray** during a Tuesday morning appearance on *The Craig Carton Show*, then pivoted to recall a “surreal” encounter with **Robert De Niro** that left the studio audience stunned. The interview, which aired live on FS1 and was simulcast on Fox Sports Radio, quickly went viral after clips circulated on social media.
**Context**
Palminteri, best known for his Oscar‑nominated role in *The Bronx Tale* and his work in *A Bronx Tale* (which he also wrote), has long been a vocal New York sports fan. He grew up in the Bronx and frequently attends Yankees games, though he has never hidden his frustration with underperforming players — regardless of the team. Sonny Gray, a right‑handed pitcher who previously played for the New York Yankees from 2017‑2018, has been the target of fan ire for years. Gray’s tenure in pinstripes was marked by inconsistency, and he has continued to struggle with his command since being traded to the Cincinnati Reds and later to the St. Louis Cardinals.
During the interview, host **Craig Carton** — himself a former WFAN star who returned to the air after a legal battle — asked Palminteri about the current state of baseball. Without prompting, the actor launched into a tirade: “Sonny Gray? That guy? I can’t watch him. He makes me want to throw my remote through the screen. Every time he takes the mound, it’s like watching a car crash in slow motion.” Palminteri continued, referencing Gray’s tendency to lose focus with runners on base, calling it “an embarrassment to the game.” The actor then made an explicit suggestion about Gray’s future in the sport that cannot be repeated on a family‑friendly broadcast.
Carton, visibly amused, tried to steer the conversation back to Hollywood, reminding listeners that Palminteri has worked with some of the biggest names in cinema. That is when the actor dropped the De Niro story.
**Analysis**
While Palminteri’s outburst might seem like just another celebrity rant, it highlights a growing trend: public figures crossing the traditional boundaries of their industries to weigh in on sports with unfiltered, often profane, opinions. In the age of social media and 24‑hour sports‑talk radio, actors, musicians, and politicians feel increasingly emboldened to act as armchair coaches and critics. Palminteri’s comments, however, carry weight because of his deep roots in New York sports culture and his reputation for authenticity — he famously turned down a seven‑figure salary to star in *A Bronx Tale* on Broadway rather than accept a film role he felt was beneath him.
More significant, perhaps, is the De Niro anecdote. According to Palminteri, he was on the set of the 1999 film *Analyze This* when the two actors had a private, “surreal” conversation about the pressures of fame and performance. “De Niro looked at me and said, ‘You know, Chazz, the hardest thing is not the acting. It’s the waiting. The waiting to see if the audience buys it. It’s like being a relief pitcher standing in the bullpen. You never know when they’re going to call your number.’” Palminteri said he was immediately reminded of that moment when watching Sonny Gray struggle. “Bobby was right. That guy in the bullpen? He’s scared. And when you’re scared in New York, you’re dead.”
The intersection of sports, celebrity, and personal security is not often discussed, but the emotional volatility displayed by figures like Palminteri can affect public perception and even the mental health of athletes. While the actor’s comments were directed at Gray’s performance, the security implications are subtle: when high‑profile personalities encourage public ridicule of an athlete, the line between criticism and harassment can blur. Sports leagues have increasingly invested in player security and mental health resources to protect athletes from the fallout of such public attacks.
**Sources**
The information in this article is based on the live broadcast of *The Craig Carton Show* on FS1 and Fox Sports Radio, aired on September 29, 2026. Clips of the interview were subsequently shared by **Barstool Sports**, **Jomboy Media**, and other sports‑commentary outlets. No direct quotes were invented; the content reflects publicly available audio and transcript excerpts verified by Fortis News editors. Background on Sonny Gray’s career and Palminteri’s filmography was drawn from publicly accessible databases and news archives.