Nick Castellanos homers again on the day Alex Ovechkin breaks Gretzky’s record, because of course he did

There are a few things you can rely on in life: death, taxes, and Nick Castellanos doing something absurd at the plate while something historic or tragic is happening in the world.

On Sunday, as Alex Ovechkin officially passed Wayne Gretzky for the NHL’s all-time goals record with No. 895 — a feat once thought untouchable — Castellanos did what only Nick Castellanos could: he turned the spotlight ever so slightly back in his direction.

ALEX OVECHKIN IS THE GREATEST GOALSCORER IN NHL HISTORY! 🚨🚨🚨 #Gr8ness pic.twitter.com/NKef3VvNaJ

— NHL (@NHL) April 6, 2025

WATCH: Alex Ovechkin breaks Wayne Gretzky’s All-Time Goals record

The Phillies’ right fielder uncorked a grand slam off Alex Vesia in the third inning against the Dodgers, igniting a Citizens Bank Park crowd that had already watched Bryce Harper tie the game minutes earlier. It was classic Castellanos — swinging early, punishing a mistake, and somehow doing it in the middle of a once-in-a-generation sports moment.

Nick Castellanos Grand Slam 45 Minutes after Ovechkin Takes Down Gretzky

NICK CASTELLANOS. RING IT. #RingTheBell | #Phillies pic.twitter.com/B0sBKJNW4e

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) April 6, 2025

Nick Castellanos crushes Grand Slam, Phillies beat Dodgers to win the series

WATCH: Nick Castellanos shuts up the Dodgers with an electric Grand Slam at The Bank

It’s beyond coincidence at this point. It’s a phenomenon.

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
• Ovechkin NHL Goal Record

It’s almost like Castellanos is the baseball Grim Reaper’s cleanup hitter.

Nobody’s saying Nick does this on purpose. He’s not glancing at CNN before deciding to go yard. but it’s hard to ignore that every single time something monumental happens — whether it’s tragic, historic, or just plain uncomfortable — Castellanos is lurking with his bat, ready to launch one into orbit.

At this point, opposing pitchers might want to start checking the news ticker before throwing him anything hittable. The man is talented. Clutch. And somehow cursed — or blessed — to be part of sports folklore in the strangest way possible.

So congratulations to Ovechkin, truly. You’ve made history. But we regret to inform you that your big day might eventually be remembered for a 0-0 four-seamer that Nick Castellanos absolutely demolished to lift the Phillies past the Dodgers and win the three-game set in early April at Citizens Bank Park.

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