Nick Castellanos has earned a reputation over his 13-year Major League Baseball career for hitting home runs at some of the most interesting moments – and Monday night was no exception.
As Castellanos launched a home run against the San Francisco Giants, the Philadelphia Phillies broadcast team couldn’t help but reference the slugger’s well-known knack for making headlines at the most unlikely times.
The story began back in 2021 when Castellanos, then with the Cincinnati Reds, hit a home run during a broadcast in which announcer Thom Brennaman was apologizing for using a slur on a hot-mic.
Since that moment, Castellanos’ timely blasts have become intertwined with significant historical events and trending news stories, leading to viral moments both in and outside of the sports world.
Over the years, Castellanos’ home runs have consistently caught the attention of viewers during notable moments in news.
The phenomenon even caught the eye of ESPN, which proposed a feature on the topic last year. Castellanos, however, declined the opportunity due to disagreements over the editorial direction of the segment.
As the years have passed, the story of Castellanos’ home runs has become a shared joke among broadcasters and fans.
Phillies color analyst Ruben Amaro Jr. embraced the meme during Monday night’s game, drawing an unexpected parallel to the sinking of the RMS Titanic, which occurred 113 years ago to the day.
As Castellanos stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning, Tom McCarthy, the longtime Phillies play-by-play announcer, called the action.
“And a high fly-ball to deep left-center field… That one is gone. Home run for Castellanos,” McCarthy announced.
Amaro Jr., always quick to seize a humorous moment, chimed in with a reference that history buffs couldn’t ignore.
“He did not hang one to Bryce Harper,” Amaro Jr. said. “But he did hang one to Nick Castellanos. And Nick did exactly what you are supposed to do with it. Especially the way that he’s been swinging the bat. That is a Titanic blast… Too much?”
McCarthy responded with an easygoing, “No, I think you are right on.”
While McCarthy may not have fully grasped the reference in the moment, viewers at home quickly caught on, with many taking to social media to comment on the clever Titanic tie-in.
Given that the Titanic disaster occurred over a century ago, it’s unlikely Castellanos had the historical significance of the date on his mind as he made his swing. But Amaro’s reference added another layer to the long-standing meme that has followed Castellanos throughout his career.
The viral moment was a perfect blend of sports and history, keeping the legend of Castellanos’ timely home runs alive and well in the public consciousness.
For fans and broadcasters alike, the tradition continues – and the memes are sure to keep flowing every time Castellanos takes a swing.
What are your thoughts on the latest viral Castellanos moment???
