Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
THE BIG LEAGUES — Everyone knows there are some major rules in sports broadcasting.
You never talk about how a kicker hasn't missed a field goal all season while they're lining up for a kick, you don't talk about a basketball player's free throw percentage before a shot and you certainly don't ever talk about the no-hitter even when it's visible on the box score.
MLB Network took big a gamble on the latter as it hyped up its broadcast of a matchup between the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers and the hapless Miami Marlins on Tuesday. The studio set up a "no-hitter alert" for Los Angeles Dodgers star rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto against a team that had already traded away its best hitter before the game started.
A "no-hitter alert" from Greg that lasted... one pitch 😂 pic.twitter.com/gqJ5OQBudI
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 8, 2024
"Yoshinobu Yamamoto — before he throws a single pitch tonight against the Marlins — we have a 'no-hitter alert.' Enjoy what could be a no-hitter from Yamamoto," MLB Network commentator Greg Amsinger says, as the righty is seen warming up.
And, of course, the most predictable thing happened.
Moments after the boast, Marlins infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. swung on Yamamoto's first-pitch fastball, belting it 404 feet to right-center for a home run. His perfect game, no-hitter and shutout bids all ended after just one pitch.
Yamamoto bounced back just fine, though. He surrendered just five hits and two runs over eight innings as the Dodgers squished the Fish, 8-2. He's now 4-1 with a robust 2.79 ERA.
But one can only wonder what could have been had it not been for the ultimate sportscaster jinx.
