If we had a nickel for every time a New York-based broadcaster made a weight-related crack about a player, only for a home run to be launched moments later, we’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.
On Sunday afternoon’s SNY broadcast, Keith Hernandez fat-shamed Pablo Sandoval. A few pitchers later, Rafael Devers launched a three-run homer en route to a Giants 12-4 victory over the Mets.
A little more than 24 hours later, during the Yankees-Rangers game, Ryan Ruocco and David Cone spent an extended inning dissecting Joc Pederson’s struggles and his frame. Moments later, Pederson took Devin Williams deep.
The baseball gods work fast.
“You can see the physique definitely has evolved for Joc,” Ruocco said, somewhat coyly.
“Stunning,” Cone added. “Those numbers are absolutely stunning from Joc Pederson, who signed a two-year, $20 million deal to come over here. [He’s] hitting .126.”
By the time Pederson stepped to the plate in the home half of the ninth inning, he was sporting a .473 OPS, two home runs, and just six RBIs in 53 games. He hadn’t looked like the guy who posted a .908 OPS with Arizona last season. He looked like a platoon bat running out of chances.
Then Ruocco brought up his physique.
Call it karma. Call it a coincidence. Blame the ol’ reliable announcer jinx. But when broadcasters punch down — literally — and the response is a baseball flying into the night, it’s worth noting, especially when it happens twice in two days.
Baseball’s full of unwritten rules. But, after the last 48 hours, perhaps it’s best not to discuss a player’s physique when the opposing team is at bat.
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.