Ben McDonald made a textbook announcer jinx during Orioles-Royals

Whether they want to admit it’s a real thing or not, broadcasters are well aware of the dreaded announcer jinx. Often afterward, there’s nothing to do other than acknowledge it.

That was the case for ESPN color commentator Ben McDonald when he committed the cardinal commentary sin on Wednesday.

The Royals led Game 2 of their Wild Card series 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth when right-handed batter Cedric Mullins stepped to the plate against Seth Lugo. With the count at 3-2, McDonald started discussing Lugo’s ability to keep right-handed hitters from getting extra-base hits.

“I’ll tell you how good Lugo’s been,” he said. “His last five starts he has not allowed an extra-base hit to a right-handed hitter… that’s how good he’s been. Gives up a lot of singles… He’s only allowed 16 home runs this year in 210 innings of work. Now, that is a low number. Keeps the ball in the ballpark.”

You know what happened next.

Moments after Ben McDonald provided stats proving Seth Lugo’s ability to keep the ball in the ballpark, Cedric Mullins made him eat his words…

“If you are a Royals fan, you are blaming Ben McDonald and the announcer jinx. – Sean McDonough pic.twitter.com/ZtkZUCpqeH

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 2, 2024

Mullins clocked a 93-mph fastball deep into right field for a home run to even up the score and announcing partner Sean McDonough said what everyone was thinking.

“If you are a Royals fan, you are blaming Ben McDonald and the announcer jinx,” he told ESPN audiences as Mullin rounded the bases.

Alas, the jinx wasn’t enough to help the Orioles extend the series as the Royals won 2-1 and moved on to the American League Divisional Series.

[ESPN]