Nick Castellanos' Home Run Odds Shift After Pope Francis' Death

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos has developed a reputation for hitting home runs coinciding with major somber or tragic events, a trend that has become a meme in baseball culture and has directly influenced betting odds. This phenomenon began in 2020 when Castellanos homered during Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman’s on-air apology for a homophobic slur, and has since included home runs during broadcasts commemorating deceased veterans and other significant news moments such as the deaths of Queen Elizabeth II and Willie Mays, and even following the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. With the recent death of Pope Francis, bettors rushed to wager on Castellanos hitting a home run, causing his odds to surge and then narrow further as more bets poured in. Sportsbooks like FanDuel and BetMGM reported significant increases in bets on Castellanos, reflecting both the meme status and the perception that he thrives in these unusual moments. While some attribute this to confirmation bias, the pattern has taken on a life of its own, with fans and bettors eagerly awaiting his next timely home run. Castellanos' unlikely association with tragic or momentous events continues to drive both fan fascination and betting activity.