Chris Berman uses awkward Muhammad Ali line at end of Derby

ESPN commentator Chris Berman isn’t exactly known for his eloquence. The announcer usually bumbles and stumbles his way through the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby event each season, bringing his usual clichés to the party.

But when it came time to finish things off this year, Berman decided to make things weird. After Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton dethroned Chicago White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier to win the event, Berman dropped a really odd line.

	Chris Erskine @erskinetimes
"In the year we lost Muhammad Ali, down goes Frazier." --Chris Berman, in worst line of year #mlb #hrderby pic.twitter.com/PsPz606TDl 7:31 PM - 11 Jul 2016

As the above tweet reads, Berman’s line after Stanton one was, “In the year we lost Muhammad Ali, down goes Frazier.”

In case you are somehow unaware, the “down goes Frazier” quote is from George Foreman’s match against Joe Frazier. It’s easily one of the most famous sports quotes of all-time, and an obvious way to go considering Todd Frazier got beat in the championship round.

In case you were paying attention above, Ali wasn’t even involved in the “down goes Frazier” fight, making the reference a lot more puzzling.

Chris Berman has hosted the MLB Home Run Derby for years.

Berman probably could have just said “down goes Frazier” and been done with it, but the first part of his quote made the situation a bit awkward. On top of that fact that Ali wasn’t even involved in the fight Berman referenced, this wasn’t a serious tribute to a lost sports icon, this was Berman throwing it in after yelling “back, back, back” a million times and doing his usual “this ball was hit to (insert local landmark here).”

The Home Run Derby isn’t supposed to be taken seriously, and the end of it was the wrong time to try and remember Ali. Any sincere tribute to Ali, and we’re guessing that was Berman’s aim here, was came off as hollow.

If there’s any consolation, it’s that this may be the last time Berman calls the event. His contract with ESPN is up after the football season, and he’s not expected to return. As long as ESPN broadcasts the event again next year, Berman will probably not be involved.

Based on fan reaction, that’s probably a good call. A quick search on Twitter yields some not so friendly responses when it comes to the commentator.

At this point, Berman’s schtick has gotten old. The Home Run Derby has needed some new blood at the announcing table for some time. Berman’s insensitive Ali line was the perfect example of why that’s the case.