Overview

• FanDuel briefly locked and then adjusted Nick Castellanos' home run prop odds after Pope Francis' death, with odds narrowing from +750 to +500 on Monday.
• Bettors flocked to wager on Castellanos hitting a home run, driven by the viral meme linking his on-field performance to significant world events.
• The phenomenon began in 2020 when Castellanos homered during Thom Brennaman’s on-air apology, and has since included interruptions of tributes, eulogies, and somber announcements.
• In 2024 alone, Castellanos homered following events like Willie Mays’ death, a failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump, and Joe Biden’s reelection announcement.
• The meme highlights the intersection of sports, social media, and global events, with sportsbooks adjusting rapidly to fan-driven narratives.