BOSTON – Braves radio analyst Darren O’Day put all of the necessary preparations in before the game. But it was Braves television analyst CJ Nitkowski who got to show off his athleticism with a nifty grab during Wednesday night’s game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Nitkowski reacted quickly and barehanded a Willson Contreras fly ball that flew into the BravesVision booth during Boston’s six-run fourth. It’s safe to say the former pitcher’s nice grab provided a highlight to what was an ugly inning for Atlanta.
Maybe O’Day willed this moment into existence. The longtime big league reliever caught two home run balls as he sat on top of the Green Monster during batting practice. But he was one booth over when Nitkowski grabbed the spotlight.
Nitkowski, a former big league pitcher, looked like a shortstop as he calmly rose and snared the ball that was hit right at him. Adding to the delight of the image was seeing his broadcast partner Brandon Gaudin scoot his chair out of harm’s way.
“So cool, calm and collected,” Gaudin said on the broadcast.
Nitkowski responded with, “Perhaps never again.”