Indians relief pitcher James Karinchak has been compared to fictional Indians pitcher Ricky “Wild Thing” Vaughn from the movie, Major League. He’s a hard-throwing, right-handed Indians relief pitcher who wears No. 99. Just as the movie character did, he enters the field to “Wild Thing.”
And for the Indians’ Wild Card series matchup with the Yankees, Karinchak went full Ricky Vaughn and got himself the same haircut that Charlie Sheen sported while playing the character. All of this could have been amazing (and somewhat fun), but Gio Urshela had other ideas.
Karinchak entered the game with the bases loaded in the fourth inning of Wednesday’s Game 2, and six pitches into the relief appearance, Vaughn Karinchak gave up a go-ahead grand slam.
Gio Urshela with the GRAND SLAM to give the Yankees the lead! 💪 ⚾️
(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/9cW65I5Yfu
— theScore (@theScore) October 1, 2020
Karinchak knew it was gone immediately — as did Gio.
This ain't the mild card.
This is the WILD card. pic.twitter.com/FU4gK9Gvqk
— Cut4 (@Cut4) October 1, 2020
And let’s just say that Yankees fans took delight in seeing a real-life (or fake, actually) Ricky Vaughn melt down against New York.
Well, Ricky Vaughn always did have trouble with the Yankees, didn't he?
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) October 1, 2020
Here’s a replay of Giovanny’s home run off of “Ricky Vaughn” #NYYforNY pic.twitter.com/rVcSCxoJbp
— Steve Brudzynski aka Big Steve (@_BigSteve89) October 1, 2020
Why did nobody tell me that this Indians reliever wears No. 99 and has the Rick Vaughn haircut and apparently has Wild Thing as his walkout music. pic.twitter.com/zziLEzg1oY
— Kyle Maskson (@KyleAMadson) October 1, 2020
That was the Major League II version of Ricky Vaughn.
— Peter Botte (@PeterBotte) October 1, 2020
Thanks for comin’ out, Wild Thing pic.twitter.com/5GLq1X9b0y
— Stanzo (@ncostanzo24) October 1, 2020
Fake Wild Thing
— Stanford Steve (@StanfordSteve82) October 1, 2020
Retire the Wild Thing act ASAP
— Keith McPherson (@Keith_McPherson) October 1, 2020
That’s going to be a tough one to bounce back from for Karinchak. He’ll need the glasses next time.
