Three years ago Saturday, Thom Brennaman gave sports broadcasting’s all-time worst apology … as there’s a drive into deep, uh, left field by Nick Castellanos and that’ll make it a 3-3 ballgame?
Yes, really.
Exactly three years after launching a deep drive to right field to put the Reds ahead 4-0 right as Brennaman was apologizing for using an anti-gay slur — giving rise to a meme that has persisted through today — Castellanos homered on the anniversary.
This time he hit a three-run shot to left, tying a Phillies-Nationals game that turned into a 12-3 Philadelphia rout.
Brennaman still hasn’t returned to a broadcast booth after he referred to Kansas City with an anti-gay slur, but his apology lives on in infamy.
“I made a comment earlier tonight that I guess went out over the air that I am deeply ashamed of,” Brennaman said. “If I have hurt anyone out there, I can’t tell you how much I say from the bottom of my heart that I am so very, very sorry. I pride myself and think of myself as a man of faith as there’s a drive into deep left field by Castellanos, that will be a home run, and so that will make it a 4-0 ballgame.”
Not only did Castellanos homer again on the anniversary, but he’s developed an uncanny knack for interrupting somber moments with big hits.
A year after the Brennaman incident, he homered while a Royals broadcaster was eulogizing George A. Gorman, the father of longtime Royals equipment manager Pat Gorman.
And last year, while Phillies play-by-play man Tom McCarthy was discussing the team’s Memorial Day tribute, he did it again.
At least Saturday, no one was having a serious conversation before Castellanos hit one out.
The Phillies hold the first wild card spot entering Sunday’s MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, Va., and are 3 1/2 games clear of a playoff spot.
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