You can put a pitcher on the mound, you can put them on the bump or the hill, but Ruben Amaro Jr. tried to put Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez somewhere else Tuesday night.
After beating the Boston Red Sox 3-2 Monday night, Sánchez was looking to continue the trend Tuesday, in hopes of leading Philly to their first two-game win streak since July 5 and 6. To do it, he would have to beat Red Sox starter Richard Fitts.
No big deal. As the pregame show on NBC Sports Philadelphia was finishing up Tuesday night, host Michael Barkann predicted the Phillies would get the job done.
Especially with Sánchez on the what?!
h/t @DJNickCC pic.twitter.com/41Q6zdD7Dv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 23, 2025
“I don’t see why not,” analyst Ricky Bottalico added. “I think Fittsy is in trouble.”
Amaro Jr. quickly agreed, citing the pitching matchup, in the most bizarre way. “Especially with Sánchez on the di…”
On the what?! It certainly sounded like he said or was in the act of saying d*ck before quickly correcting himself to “on the hill.” And even if you don’t think Amaro Jr. said “d*ck,” take a look at Bottalico’s face. Based on his reaction, it’s safe to say Bottalico heard “d*ck.”
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 23, 2025
This is an analyst who once claimed Pete Rose had the “hardest wood I’ve ever touched.” So, there’s no telling what Amaro Jr. might let slip out on-air. It’s hard to make sense of what Amaro Jr. was even trying to say in reference to Sánchez Tuesday night. D*ck doesn’t sound like hill, bump or any other word often used to describe the pitcher’s mound.
It’s been a strange week for the Phillies broadcast crew. Monday night, someone was heard screaming “Get me out of here” as if they were trapped in a closet in the booth. And then there was this gaffe from Amaro Jr. Tuesday night. But it may have all been worth it just to see Bottalico’s reaction.