There’s often a discrepancy between what an announcer or reporter thinks and what they actually say. That’s come up with bulging discs, kicks and punts, and even the Connecticut Sun. And it may be what happened for Karl Ravech Tuesday, but with the omission of important words rather than the insertion of the wrong word.
During an introduction to the Miami Marlins-Philadelphia Phillies Wild Card Series game he was calling for ESPN, Ravech was talking about the loud postseason atmosphere at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park. And he seemingly tried to reference that Phillies’ star shortstop Trea Turner (a big offseason signing) hadn’t played in a playoff game there. But he left out an all-important “here,” leading to a statement that Turner hadn’t played in the playoffs before.
"Trea Turner, learning for the first time what it means to be in a postseason" was a swing and a miss from Karl Ravech. pic.twitter.com/ULt2qw3Yz4
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 4, 2023
While “Trea Turner, learning for the first time what it means to be in a postseason game here” would have been correct (Turner’s since-2015 career had not seen any of his teams face the Phillies in the playoffs), that omission made what was actually said quite wrong. Turner made his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals in 2015 (following a 2014 trade from the San Diego Padres, who drafted him in the first round that year, 13th overall), appeared in the playoffs with them in both 2016 and 2017, and won the World Series with them in 2019. He then was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers midseason in 2021 and appeared in the postseason with them that year and 2022. So he’s anything but a postseason rookie. And many chimed in on that:
Hey Karl Ravech, Trea Turner is well aware of what a playoff atmosphere is… @Nationals pic.twitter.com/n18hfp5nV2
— Josh Kohn (@HebrewHammer37) October 4, 2023
Did I just hear Karl Ravech say Trea Turner is experiencing the postseason for the first time?
Dude has 43 playoff games and a ring on his resume.
Hope I misheard.— Marc with a C-minus GPA (@Bed18A) October 4, 2023
https://twitter.com/kholtonkjd/status/1709358506627768402
“Trea turner learning for the first time what it’s like to play in the post season”…um what?
— jo (@popsicles3) October 4, 2023
https://twitter.com/MastbaumMax/status/1709359144174518564
Mistakes happen, of course. And Ravech’s word omission here didn’t lead to any NSFW content, unlike with those bulging discs, kicks/punts, and the Sun. But it was still a notable error. And it drew some talk, especially with just how much of a postseason history Turner does have.
[Awful Announcing on Twitter]

About Andrew Bucholtz
Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.
Recent Posts
Charles Barkley clarifies Spurs ‘dumbest basketball team’ comments after NBA coaches call him
"I got a couple of NBA coaches calling me, and I want to be clear... I was talking about the players."
USMNT’s win over Paraguay delivers record viewership for Fox, Telemundo
The Fox and Telemundo broadcasts combined to average nearly 25 million viewers.
Chris Russo upset Steve Cohen sat courtside at Knicks game while Mets ‘stink’
A lot of people wouldn't care. I thought that was a very bad look."
ESPN NBA producer defends ‘balance’ between showing celebrities, players in Knicks’ comeback win
"You try to get it all in one shot."
Kirk Herbstreit: Brendan Sorsby injunction sets ‘sickening’ precedent for college football
"I just don't know where this ends."
Isiah Thomas accuses NBA on NBC of covering for Michael Jordan: ‘Very mythical’
"Tell the truth. Not this BS"