Nick Castellanos' bad timing timeline: Every somber moment interrupted by Phillies star from 2020 to now

Dan Treacy

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Nick Castellanos' bad timing timeline: Every somber moment interrupted by Phillies star from 2020 to now image

Nick Castellanos has been one of the Phillies' best hitters this postseason, as Philadelphia attempts to get back to the World Series for a second consecutive year.

Any time Castellanos is hitting home runs, there is bound to be at least one that happens at the worst possible time. The two-time All-Star first hit a poorly-timed home run in 2020, sparking one of the best baseball memes in recent memory, and he just hasn't stopped.

Castellanos added to the lore with an untimely home run during Game 3 of the NLDS against the Braves, though it admittedly wasn't as uncomfortable as some of his others.

Here's a timeline of Castellanos' awkward home runs, starting with his first deep drive to left field.

Nick Castellanos timeline of untimely home runs

Aug. 19, 2020

There's nothing better than the original, right? Castellanos infamously homered during an on-air apology by Reds play-by-play broadcaster Thom Brennaman, who was caught on a hot mic saying a homophobic slur and subsequently resigned.

Mid-apology, Castellanos hit "a deep drive into left field," and Brennaman gave baseball fans the awkward call that quickly became a viral meme.

Jul. 5, 2021

Castellanos did it a second time in 2021, when he homered while the Royals' broadcast was eulogizing a World War II veteran who had died at age 97 two days earlier.

While two poorly timed home runs is one thing, Castellanos actually hit this one in the same building as the original -- and to nearly the same part of the ballpark. "There's a drive into deep left-center field," the broadcast quietly said, interrupting the eulogy. 

MORE: Explaining the Phillies' home run celebration

March 27, 2022

This one might be cheating, considering it wasn't a home run. In fact, it didn't even take place during a game that counted. Still, it was another chapter in Castellanos' lore.

Castellanos came through with his first hit in a Phillies uniform while the Blue Jays' spring training broadcast was discussing pitching coach Pete Walker's apology for a DUI arrest. As soon as the discussion ended, Castellanos knocked a bloop single into right field.

May 30, 2022

Castellanos didn't let Memorial Day pass without hitting a home run in 2022. While homering on Memorial Day is nothing notable itself, Castellanos hit his blast just as Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy was paying tribute to fallen service members.

"...honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Castellanos rips one to deep left field. It is gone!" McCarthy said, instantly changing up his tenor to meet the moment. 

Oct. 11, 2023

As the Phillies continue to find success in October, it only makes sense that Castellanos would deliver in an awkward moment during the postseason.

That moment happened in Game 3 of the NLDS, when Castellanos hit his second home run of the night while TBS broadcaster Brian Anderson was sending well wishes to former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, who suffered a stroke in September.

The moment was a positive one, in Castellanos' defense. Manuel has recovered well from what was initially a life-threatening situation, and the broadcast was making note of his progress.

Still, for all of the plate appearances that pass without any kind of story time or tribute during each broadcast, Castellanos certainly seems to find himself in more of these situations than just about anyone.

June 18, 2024

MLB fans were once again treated to a Castellanos walk-off hit on a day during which the sports world mourned Giants legend Willie Mays, who the organization announced had died at 93 years old.

In fairness to Castellanos, the announcers were not eulogizing Mays when the Phillies outfielder slapped the game-winning hit down the line in right field.

Still, many MLB fans noted Castellanos' hit came less than an hour after the Giants announced Mays' death. It also came off Padres closer Robert Suarez, who had dominated in 2024 with a 0.61 ERA and 0.682 WHIP before his rocky outing Tuesday.

So, once again, it appeared Castellanos achieved an improbably great play to become a story during a somber moment for the baseball world. 

July 13, 2024

When Castellanos blasted a two-run home run in the second inning of the Phillies game against the A's, there did not appear to be any significant off-the-field incidents that would make the dinger a part of this list. 

However, two hours later, former U.S. President Donald Trump was shot at during a rally in Butler, Pa. There were multiple gunshots heard and Trump was left bloodied in the right ear as Secret Service rushed on stage. His team said that he was "fine."

Castellanos finished the contest against Oakland going 2-for-5 at the dish with four RBIs. While the home run may have preluded the incident involving Trump, it keeps up with the trend of unfortunately-timed highlights from the Phillies outfielder. 

July 21, 2024

Castellanos hit a deep drive to left field on Sunday, July 21, just about two hours after U.S. President Joe Biden announced he would drop out of the presidential race.

While that wasn't necessarily somber news — at least, not compared to someone's death — Biden became the first sitting president in 56 years to decide against running for re-election. He did so, of course, amid significant questions about his age and health.

The announcement Sunday afternoon led some to wonder whether Castellanos would go deep, and the Phillies outfielder capped off a shutout win with a blast off of Pirates reliever Josh Fleming at PNC Park. 

The home run came just eight days after Castellanos had a four-RBI game with a home run on the same day former U.S. President Donald Trump was grazed by a bullet in an assassination attempt. 

If the timing wasn't already perfect enough, Castellanos' home run came on the same day CW agreed to hire Thom Brennaman, who was making an on-air apology when Castellanos hit the home run that started it all. Brennaman will be part of the network's college football coverage in the fall.

Sept. 11, 2024

During a Sept. 11 matchup against the Rays, Castellano's took his third pitch of the game and sent it into the left field stands at Citizens Bank Park, putting the Phillies up 1-0. 

It fell on the 23rd anniversary of the tragic attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City, marking another home run with unfortunate timing for the outfielder. 

Dan Treacy

Dan Treacy Photo

Dan Treacy is a content producer for Sporting News, joining in 2022 after graduating from Boston University. He founded @allsportsnews on Instagram in 2012 and has written for Lineups and Yardbarker.