Nick Castellanos hit a home run for the second time in his career on the anniversary of 9/11

The legend of Nick Castellanos continues.

During the Phillies’ series finale against the Rays on Wednesday, Nick Castellanos sent Shane Baz’s pitch flying deep into left field in his very first at-bat, crushing a two-run homer that got the crowd at Citizens Bank Park fired up right out of the gates.

Nick Castellanos 2-Run Home Run: September 11, 2024

Castyyyyyyyyy#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/gHhYrfJAWn

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 11, 2024

Unless you’re someone that doesn’t spend too much time on social media, then you are probably very well aware that Nick Castellanos has a wild (and borderline ridiculous) habit of hitting home runs on significant days—usually when you least expect or, honestly, want it.

Wednesday marked the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and Castellanos went yard, right on cue, as the Philadelphia Phillies completed the sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park, winning the series finale by a final score of 3-2.

This all started back in 2020, when Castellanos, then with the Cincinnati Reds, interrupted a very ill-timed on-air apology by Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman. That was just the beginning of what’s become a meme-worthy track record of him homering at the most awkward moments.

List of Nick Castellanos Home Runs after Significant Events:

• Home run (A Ball) when Osama Bin Laden was killed
• Apology for homophobic slur use on broadcast
• Career threatening injury for Tatis
• Eulogy for WW2 veteran
• A 9/11 tribute video package on the air
• Apology of opposing teams coach getting a DUI
• 10 minutes after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock
• Dwayne Haskins death
• Memorial Day tribute package on air
• Eulogy for the just deceased PA announcer for the stadium
• Cancer announcement for his teams owner
• Vin Scully death announcement
• An hour after the death of Queen Elizabeth was announced
• A bridge collapse killing several people
• The Oceangate submarine explosion
• 3 other celebrity deaths
• 2 home runs on the anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
• Assassination attempt on Donald Trump
• Biden withdraws from the race
• September 11, 2024

Nick Castellanos has now added September 11th to the list (again—he homered on this date in 2021, too). At this point, it’s almost like the universe is in on the joke.

Is Castellanos cursed to forever hit home runs on days we’d rather not think about?

Maybe but it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I honestly believe that the entire thing “Jumped the Shark” forever ago but Nick Castellanos keeps doing it and currently, the Phillies keep winning baseball games so there’s really no issues at all.

The Phillies are still playing baseball without JT Realmuto and Alec Bohm. They played half of the series against the Rays without Kyle Schwarber and their pitching is borderline flawless over the past week – especially the bullpen.

Unlikely heroes such as Buddy Kennedy, Kody Clemens, and Weston Wilson have provided big moments and helped the Phillies hold onto an eight game lead over the New York Mets in the NL East.

The Phillies hold a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in the National League and in all of Major League Baseball with 16 games remaining in the 2024 MLB regular season.

Speaking of the Mets, they will head to Citizens Bank Park to begin a three game series against The Fightins on Friday night. Enjoy the off day today and get ready for the final stretch starting tomorrow at Citizens Bank Park.

Join The Chase