DETROIT — Minnesota Twins announcer Jim Cat referred to New York Yankees’ Nestor Curtis as “Nestor Mollistor” during Thursday’s broadcast, the second offensive remark in the past year by the 83-year-old Hall of Fame player during a game.
When Minnesota’s Chris Archer hit Detroit Tigers star Miguel Cabrera, Kat began explaining that Curtis had become one of his favorite pitchers during a break season with New York.
“Nestor Molestor, Nestor Curtis,” said Cat. “Various angles and speeds. It’s a jug.”
Twin Vice President of Communications and Content Dustin Morse spoke with Kat after the broadcast about the comment.
“Obviously we take these matters very seriously, and as in all cases, we will treat this matter internally and confidentially,” Morse said.
Kat plans to call Curtis directly and speak with the pitcher about the situation.
“Jim meant there was no ill will,” Morse said.
After the Yankees swept a day and night double header from the Los Angeles Angels, Curtis said he heard Kat’s comment.
“I’m sure, you know, he didn’t really mean it, and people make mistakes, but that didn’t bother me at all,” Curtis told The Associated Press.
“So, you know, I don’t have anything more than that, frankly.”
Curtis became affectionately known as “Nasty Nestor” by Yankees fans as he went 5-1 with a 1.50 ERA to start the season. He made seven innings without goals against the Angels on Thursday to win the first game of the double-header.
Kat, a longtime commentator who has also worked with the Yankees and the MLB Network, apologized in October after saying teams should try to “get a 40-acre stadium full” of players who look like White Sox player Yuan Moncada.
His comment about Moncada reminded some viewers of the unfulfilled promise by the United States government that freed slaves would be given 40 acres and a mule after the Civil War. He later apologized in that match between the Houston Astros and the White Sox.
“Earlier in the match when Yoan Moncada was at the table, trying to complement the great player, I used a poor choice of words which led to an insensitive and offensive remark,” he said. “And I’m so sorry.”
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