Apr 23, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) reacts to striking out against the Texas Rangers during the game at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Is the announcer jinx a real thing? That’s up to each individual to decide. But after Julio Rodríguez clubbed his first home run of the 2024 season, even the announcer jinx’s most fervent deniers would have to second-guess their position at least.

While the Seattle Mariners All-Star outfielder isn’t off to a terrible start, his slash line of .278/.324/.344 suggests a cause for concern, as his slugging percentage has dipped well below his career average. In turn, it has dragged his OPS down by a significant .155 points compared to his career average.

Considering Rodríguez entered the season with 60 career home runs, it’s worth questioning the significant drop-off and his lack of power production. And every time he comes to bat, the opposing team’s announcer will likely mention that one of the game’s most prevalent home run hitters is still without a home run.

That troubling trend came to a head with Dave Raymond’s play-by-play commentary on Tuesday. The Texas Rangers announcer mentioned that Rodríguez was still looking for his first home run of the season as the All-Star outfielder dug into a 1-0 count against Rangers starter Dane Dunning in the top of the third inning.

“He’s still looking for his first home run of the season,” said Raymond.

About five seconds of dead air went by before Rodríguez smacked a home run deep into the left field bleachers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Perhaps you shouldn’t leave a sinker up into the zone against a 23-year-old looking to get off the schneid and prove that he’s still one of the game’s elite power hitters.

A home run that traveled into the second deck at 435 feet and an exit velocity of 110.5 mph should do the trick.

The announcer jinx helped, too.

This is not the first announcer jinx we’ve ever seen; make no mistake, it won’t be the last. It’s entirely plausible that the next time Raymond mentions a homerless streak, said player will pimp one 435 feet into the Texas night, much like Rodríguez did.

The timing sets Raymond’s announcer jinx on Tuesday apart from the rest, making it a true work of art.

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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.