Is the announcer jinx a thing? Chicago White Sox play-by-play man John Schriffen doesn’t think so, even though he experienced its effects on Monday. Chicago starter Martín Pérez threw six no-hit innings before he was pulled. Reliever Mike Vasil retired the first two Minnesota hitters in the seventh inning, bringing Willi Castro to the plate. Castro worked a full count and immediately before Vasil’s 3-2 pitch, Schriffen remarked, “White Sox pitchers have still not given up a hit.”
Vasil then delivered the payoff pitch, resulting in a line drive single to right field that broke up the combined no-hitter. While Schriffen acknowledged the timing, he downplayed the idea of an announcer jinx. “And of course, as soon as I say it,” Schriffen noted. “I still don’t believe in announcer jinx. I don’t think it’s a thing.”
John Schriffen: “White Sox pitchers still have not given up a hit.”
*Twins immediately get a hit*
“And of course, as soon as I say it. I still don’t believe in announcer jinx. I don’t think it’s a thing.” ⚾️🎙️🪄 #MLB pic.twitter.com/4KJLi5DhMT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 1, 2025
His partner, color analyst Steve Stone, concurred: “No, I don’t think anything we can do up here will affect anything that goes on down there.” We’re certainly not going to convince Schriffen to believe in the announcer jinx, but the next time the White Sox have a no-hitter going, it may be wise to tread carefully.
