The CheckerBoard

This topic just came up recently, when an MLB TV announcer completely ignored the fact that a pitcher had a no-hitter because he didn't want to jinx the pitcher. Some writers complained that the announcer did a complete disservice to his audience, especially because the pitcher ended up completing the no-hitter.

I agree with those writers in this case. It's not an announcer's job to avoid "jinxing" a pitcher — which is nothing more than superstitious garbage, anyway. It's his job to tell people what's going on, and the Steckenrider stat was completely relevant to what was happening in the game.

I know a lot of people involved with baseball buy into those superstitions. But it doesn't change the fact that it's silly for announcers not to, you know, do what they're paid to do and inform their audiences of what's going on just to avoid "jinxing" a player.

That's the thing — saying a guy has gone two hitless innings is just stating a stat. By your definition, an announcer could never use many stats because of the risk of jinxing the player.

"Steckenrider hasn't struck out in 97 at-bats. Oh, wait — better not say that. It might jinx him."

"Zach Osborne is 2-for-2 tonight. Hold on, though. I can't say that on the air. It might jinx him."

I mean, where does it end? It's just an announcer recapping what a reliever has done to this point, which is totally relevant. For viewers who recently have tuned in, it lets them know what has happened in the game, how long Steckenrider has pitched and how well he has done. I don't see how anyone could be bothered by an announcer saying that, but that's just me.

I guess I'm just frustrated that he couldn't wait three more outs to talk about Drew's pitching performance? He had to mention it during the first AB of the bottom of the 9th inning when all he had done was pitch two scoreless innings. Let's face it, the game totally changed after Bob uttered those words. It's just another heartbreaking loss that shouldn't have been...

I can understand the frustration from a fan of any team in that situation, but I wouldn't recommend blaming the announcer. Let's face it: As we've said before, this Tennessee team is pretty badly depleted right now and just running out of gas as it approaches the finish line. Steckenrider has been frustratingly inconsistent for UT all season. Not to mention Ole Miss is a top-25 team, and teams like that don't often go down 1-2-3 in the ninth.

no worries as lots of people feel the same way you do ...esp when it comes to football where i can go a little overboard ...

Baseball is DUMB!!! I would watch ANY other sport over baseball.

He misspeaks about who has the ball, he never says where the ball is on the field, never says how much time left in the game, calls players by the wrong name, ect ect ect... Just plain aweful. Whew, ok im done... Deep breaths...

I'm kinda torn on this topic because I wasthe baseball player who had superstitions galore when I played and mentioning a no-no or a perfect game in the dugout was against all rules but you can't expect announcers, writers, or ppl on twitter not to mention stuff like this anymore.. This is a "breaking news" society that lives to get news and get it now so I understand their side of it too

You are right, however I bought that excuse the first few years after John left, but Blob has had the job for over a decade now... The excrement we get from Blob is the best we can expect after that many years experience. The whole "Touchdown (insert players name), touchdown Tennessee", EPIC FAIL.

Nope, I never said I thought Kesling had anything to do with it...I'm just one of the millions of other baseball fans out there that believe when things are going good, no hitter, perfect game, etc. that it's best not to talk about it. If you've noticed, when a guy is lights out on the mound, throwing a no hitter, perfect game, etc. he is typically on the other end of the bench and nobody is talking to him. I just believe in baseball superstitions, and many come to life like today. After he mentioned the no hits in two innings, Drew gave up a hit and two run homer to the next two batters. All I'm saying, is that If I was calling the game I wouldn't have mentioned that stat due to my superstitions. But I'm not an announcer so that's that. Probably didn't have anything to do with what Kesling said, but if you believe in some of the more common baseball superstitions then the superstitions were justified today. The big hits came after the lack there of was mentioned.

As great as the the John Ward was- he still made his fair share of mistakes covering the games- he was able to overcome it because the passion that he had for sports and his team. Add the fact the significantly less people listen to the game on the radio than when he was at the mic- Bob didn't have a chance.