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 place the Reds ahead 4-0 right as Brennaman was apologizing for using an anti-gay slur — giving rise to a meme that has persevered through today — Castellanos homered on the anniversary.
This time he hit a three-run shot to left, tying a Phillies-Nationals game that was 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 assume went out over the air that I’m deeply ashamed of,” Brennaman said. “If I actually have hurt anyone on the market, I can’t inform you how much I say from the underside of my heart that I’m so very, very sorry. I pride myself and consider myself as a person of religion as there’s a drive into deep left field by Castellanos, that might be a house run, and so that can 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 12 months after the Brennaman incident, he homered while a Royals broadcaster was eulogizing George A. Gorman, the daddy of longtime Royals equipment manager Pat Gorman.
And last 12 months, while Phillies play-by-play man Tom McCarthy was discussing the team’s Memorial Day tribute, he did it again.
At the least Saturday, nobody was having a serious conversation before Castellanos hit one out.
The Phillies hold the primary wild card spot entering Sunday’s MLB Little League Classic in Williamsport, Va., and are 3 1/2 games clear of a playoff spot.
