Despite the New York Yankees winning the ALCS in just five games over the Cleveland Guardians, the series proved to have its fair share of late game theatrics. High on that list is Juan Soto’s go-ahead three-run home run in the top of the tenth inning during Saturday’s Game 5 clincher for the Yanks.
As it turns out, not everyone was surprised by Soto’s late-game heroics. TBS MLB studio analyst Pedro Martinez called his shot before Soto went yard and all but sent the Yankees to the World Series.
Pedro Martinez called the three-run Ding Dong Johnson from Juan Soto. ⚾️💣🎙️ pic.twitter.com/tJKwYrkRLT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 20, 2024
“Three-run Ding Dong Johnson,” Martinez said glancing towards his fellow studio analysts Curtis Granderson, Dusty Baker, and Jimmy Rollins while holding up three fingers. TBS postgame show The Closer then cut to Soto’s home run called by play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson before showing the studio crew breakout in celebration. “The psychic, Pedro Martinez,” studio host Lauren Shehadi commended the three-time Cy Young Award winner.
The in-studio reaction has become a favorite genre of the TNT Sports studio show. Countless times, Inside The NBA will cut to a reaction shot of Charles Barkley or Shaquille O’Neal from during the game. It’s a fun moment that shows the talent watching in the studio are sometimes just as much fan as they are analyst. And who doesn’t love calling their shot on a home run ball?
[TBS]
About Drew Lerner
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.