When it comes to recalling the time Cleveland Guardians broadcaster Rick Manning said that a player wanted to “kill himself” during a broadcast, we’re officially at the “which one?” stage.
During Monday’s broadcast of the Guardians’ 5-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, FanDuel Sports Network North showed a replay of Milwaukee outfielder Sal Frelick looking at strike three in the bottom of the ninth. That prompted a matter-of-fact assessment from Manning.
“He wants to kill himself right now,” said Manning.
Rick Manning says a player wants to kill himself on the broadcast counter:
2. pic.twitter.com/oNYmjGEpNg— Connor (@FlyOhioAviation) May 13, 2025
Not great, especially since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Major League Baseball has an active campaign around it.
What’s wild is that this is now the second time Manning has used that phrase during an MLB broadcast.
In August 2024, Manning was calling a game between the Guardians and Chicago Cubs when Cleveland outfielder Jhonkensy Noel hit a home run off of Chicago reliever Drew Smyly.
“Oh, Smyly. He wants to kill himself,” said Manning. “He hung him a breaking ball and boy, Noel took advantage of it.”
“BIG CHRISTMAS AND A ONE HORSE OPEN SLEIGH, ROUNDING THE BASES AFTER AN ABSOLUTE MISSILE OF A HOME RUN.”
“Oh, Smyly. He wants to kill himself. He hung him a breaking ball and boy, Noel took advantage of it.”
Matt Underwood and Rick Manning on the spirited call. pic.twitter.com/2EJVMVzREX
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 14, 2024
We can give Manning the benefit of the doubt and presume he’s not meaning to make light of self-harm. Still, he’s gotta start figuring out how to get a different turn of phrase ready for these situations. This is getting very awkward.
If I had a nickel for every time Rick Manning said a player wanted to kill himself live on broadcast I’d have two nickels which wouldn’t be a lot but it’s weird that it’s happened twice. https://t.co/2QIebrSPrF
— meg 🦔💙❤️⚾️ (@shuddupmeg) May 13, 2025
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.