Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan hit his second home run of the season on Friday night, and some would argue that Chicago White Sox color commentator Steve Stone spoke it into existence.
Kwan was at the plate in the top of the sixth inning when Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) play-by-play announcer John Schriffen explained how Kwan has made adjustments to his hitting mindset this season.
“We saw last year, he tried to open things up and hit for some more power,” Schriffen said. “And then this year, getting back to his old self, just being that slap, spray type hitter.”
“I mean, look, this guy is around .300 most of the time and doesn’t do himself any favors when he’s trying to hit home runs,” Stone responded. “Because maybe, maybe in a huge year he’d have 10. That’s not enough to take 30, 40 points off your batting average, which is something that will happen when you’re not a power hitter but trying to act like one.”
Stone finished that thought right as White Sox right-hander David Sandlin was delivering a pitch that Kwan smoked off the right-field foul pole for a solo home run.
Steve Stone: “This guy is around .300 most of the time & doesn’t do himself any favors when he’s trying to hit home runs…. That’s not enough to take 30-40 points off your AVG, which is something that will happen when you’re not a power hitter but trying to act like one.”
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— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 8, 2026
Just two home runs over 435 plate appearances this season for Kwan, and he hit one instantly after Stone mocked the idea of him trying to hit for power. That’s one of the top announcer jinxes you’ll ever see or hear.
Interestingly, Kwan’s .264 batting average is actually lower than the .272 mark he had last season (to go with 11 home runs), but he does have a .365 on-base percentage that’s approaching his career-best number.
Kwan went 3-for-5 as Cleveland’s leadoff hitter in an 8-2 Guardians win over the White Sox. The victory moves the Guardians to within two games of the first-place, upstart White Sox in the AL Central.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at Awful Announcing and The Comeback.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@awfulannouncing.com.