Tough debut for Russell, the Seattle Mariners Kids Club “Kidcaster,” who hopped into the broadcast booth Sunday against the A’s. The young broadcaster got his shot at play-by-play in the second inning, but his very first call was a little less than ideal.
Logan Gilbert had just struck out Tyler Soderstrom, and announcer Aaron Goldsmith handed the mic to Russell for Jacob Wilson’s at-bat. Russell gave it his best: “And the pitch. Hit out into left field…” The problem? The ball didn’t just go into left field, it went over the wall for a home run.
The Mariners booth let this kid call play by play for one batter and the first pitch he calls Jacob Wilson hits home run 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ABFygd9Emo
— LeiterIsKing (@LeiterIsKing) August 24, 2025
Russell’s reaction? A defeated: “Ah.”
Goldsmith immediately ribbed him—“Russell, what are we doing?”—while Angie Mentink tried to soften the blow, saying he could think of it as lucky or unlucky. Russell’s response: “I’m mad. That’s just sad.”
Luckily, the Mariners bounced back with an 11-4 win, and Russell got redemption with a strikeout call. Hey, everyone’s first day has some nerves.