In a moment that will likely be remembered as one of the first great announcer’s jinxes of the young MLB season, Phillies analyst John Kruk inadvertently set the stage for a dramatic turn of events during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Kruk’s jinx came to life in the 10th inning when he mentioned that Reds utilityman Spencer Steer had never hit a grand slam in his career just before Steer stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded. “No grand slams for Spencer Steer, let’s hope that continues,” Kruk remarked, unknowingly tempting fate.
However, fate had other plans, and moments later, disaster struck for the Phillies. Despite Nick Castellanos not being involved, Steer crushed a 2-1 pitch into left field, sending it over the fence for a grand slam. The Phillies’ play-by-play man, Tom McCarthy, captured the moment, exclaiming, “A grand slam for Spencer Steer! And the Reds have busted it open in the 10th, they’re on top, 6-2.”
The grand slam proved to be the difference-maker in the game, as the Reds went on to secure a 6-3 victory over the Phillies. The sequence of events served as a humorous reminder of the unpredictable nature of baseball and the age-old superstitions that surround the game.
Kruk’s unintentional jinx will surely go down as one of the memorable moments of the season, highlighting the fine line between commentary and superstition in the world of baseball broadcasting.
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