There’s a reason the Phillies opt to have Kyle Schwarber bat in the leadoff spot despite a career-worst (non-COVID season) .197 average. The man just has some serious power and can ignite the entire offense with one swing.
Arizona Diamondbacks radio announcers Greg Schulte and Tom Candiotti were clearly aware of that fact as they introduced the Phillies leadoff hitter during the bottom of the first inning in Monday’s Game 1 of the NLCS.
They just weren’t thrilled to be proven right.
Schulte spoke about Schwarber’s struggles thus far in the postseason but made a point to note that he’s always a threat to lift the crowd with a home run to start the game. Little did he know that he set up Schwarber perfectly because just seconds later, this happened …
How Kyle Schwarber's leadoff bomb sounded on Diamondbacks radio pic.twitter.com/HRWOMUTchM
— Nick Piccone (@_piccone) October 17, 2023
Schulte had just completed his introduction when Schwarber turned on a first-pitch fastball from D-backs ace Zac Gallen to put the Phillies up 1-0. I love how Schulte didn’t even wait for the ball to land before he announced the score. It was unbelievable, really.
Announcer jinxes aren’t technically real, but that one right there was poetic.
MLB fans also enjoyed how nondescript the call was. A home run with a 117 mph exit velocity will do that to opposing broadcasters.