New York Yankees star pitcher Nestor Cortes has been having an unbelievable 2022 season, but Minnesota Twins broadcaster Jim Kaat made an egregious comment regarding his style.
“‘Nestor the Molestor,’ Nestor Cortes,” Kaat said. “Angles and different speeds. He’s a pitcher.”
Kaat has been called out for saying profound things in the past, and while this seems to be a poor choice of words, it is completely unacceptable for a professional broadcaster.
The Twins followed up after the game, indicating that they take these matters seriously and they believed there was no ill will intended by Kaat.
“Obviously, we take these matters seriously and, like in all cases, will handle this internally and privately,” Twins president of communications Dustin Morse said, per ESPN.
After the first leg of Thursday’s doubleheader, Cortes fielded questions regarding the comment made about him. Clearly, Cortes didn’t seem to care, stating it didn’t bother him, and he didn’t take offense to it at all.
“I’m sure, you know, he didn’t really mean it, and people make mistakes, but it didn’t offend me at all,” Cortes told The Associated Press.
“So, you know, I don’t really have anything more than just that, honestly.”
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Nothing can stop Nestor Cortes and his success this year:
Cortes is one of those players that you simply can’t rub the wrong way. At 27 years old, he’s making under $1 million to be the Yankees Ace, earning a 1.50 ERA over 60 innings.
The legend of Nestor continues, but being stained with a “Nestor the molester” comment isn’t exactly how he planned his Thursday to go.
Nonetheless, Cortes completely destroyed the Angels during his start, lasting 7.0 innings, giving up five hits, two walks, and striking out seven batters. In three of his last four games, Nestor has pitched 7.0 innings or more, indicating just how fantastic he’s been this season.
Luckily for the Yankees, they have him under team control until 2026, but he will be arbitration-eligible in 2023.