Nick Castellanos, Cincinnati Reds. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
A Cincinnati Reds fan provided hilarious motivation for Nick Castellanos on Saturday evening.
Castellanos is among the most electric power hitters in the game when he’s right, and the slugger delivered with a home run (his tenth of the season) and a double to help provide the Reds the fuel necessary for a 6-5 win over the Colorado Rockies.
The former Tigers and Cubs power-hitter has been the most polarizing the last few years, first as the fodder for a funny social media campaign trolling former broadcaster Thom Brennaman (and there’s a drive to deep left by Castellanos…) and the second due to his on-field drama this season with Yadier Molina.
On Saturday night, he provided another funny moment thanks to a Reds fan that gave him the best motivation possible before his incredible night at the plate.
Nick Castellanos gives Reds fan his brief moment of fame
Castellanos played this up perfectly, allowing the Reds fan to tell the world live what, precisely, he told his beloved Reds to motivate them to victory. Apparently, it was Rob Manfred’s face.
Manfred and MLB suspended Castellanos earlier this season for his role in the Cardinals-Reds beef, of which he did not instigate. So, it’s safe to assume Castellanos has all the motivation in the world to give Manfred a piece of his mind.
Cincinnati remains a game under .500 on the season, essentially flipping roles from the shortened 60-game campaign. Suddenly, the offense is among the best in baseball and the pitching needs a jolt.
Perhaps a big, extra-innings win can supply the Reds with more than just a viral moment. Currently, Cincinnati sits in fourth place in the NL Central, four games behind the division-leading Cardinals.