Rowdy Tellez Laughs Last After ‘Girthquake’ Radio Jab Falls Flat
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ARLINGTON, Texas — Rowdy Tellez didn’t flinch.
It was supposed to be a lighthearted welcome to Texas. A few minutes of banter on local sports radio, a chance for the newly-acquired first baseman to connect with Rangers fans. Instead, the exchange became a social media flashpoint — one that revealed both the pitfalls of “comedic” sports talk and the unique personality that makes Tellez an easy clubhouse favorite.
“I did a radio show when I first got here that basically told me I was fat,” Tellez said during a recent appearance on Foul Territory. “They called me the ‘Girthquake,’ or something stupid.”
The setup was simple enough. The hosts asked about food in Texas. Tellez gave a standard, almost throwaway answer: “I don’t know, whatever.” Then came the follow-up — had he ever eaten in Texas? Of course he had. “Believe it or not, I live here,” he replied. That’s when the hosts delivered the nickname, aiming for humor.
“They tried to be funny and they’re not,” Tellez said, leaning into the moment with the same deadpan delivery he’s used to defuse hecklers in ballparks from Toronto to Milwaukee. “I just went full emotionless person, and said, ‘Hey guys, that was pretty stupid.’”
A Player Who Doesn’t Play the Victim
In today’s media climate, such moments can snowball into outrage cycles. But Tellez isn’t built for that. He’s not interested in starting a feud, nor is he the type to post a long Instagram note demanding an apology. His approach is rooted in a combination of thick skin and dry wit — the kind that teammates love and opposing dugouts sometimes misunderstand.
“He’s got that hockey-player vibe,” said one Rangers coach. “You chirp him, he chirps back, but it’s never malicious. That’s rare these days.”
This isn’t Tellez’s first brush with body-related commentary. At 6-foot-4 and hovering around 270 pounds, he doesn’t fit the prototypical lean-slugger mold. And in an era obsessed with analytics, diet plans, and body composition charts, his silhouette stands out. That makes him an easy target for lazy jokes.
But it’s also part of what makes him dangerous in the box. His lower-half strength gives him raw power, the kind that can flip a game with one swing. His 31-homer season in 2022 wasn’t an accident — it was a product of a swing built to punish mistakes, and a mental approach immune to outside noise.
The Texas Fit
Since joining the Rangers, Tellez has brought exactly what the front office hoped: left-handed pop, a veteran presence, and a light touch in a room that can get tight when the schedule grinds. His arrival came in the middle of a season defined by injuries and streaky offense. The Rangers needed more than numbers; they needed energy.
“He’s loud, but in a good way,” said catcher Jonah Heim. “When Rowdy’s in the room, you feel it. He’s always got a story, always has something going on. And he doesn’t let stuff like that radio thing bother him.”
Texas fans have already embraced him, ‘Girthquake’ jab and all. In fact, a handful of fans wore homemade T-shirts with the nickname to a recent homestand. Tellez signed them, smiling, because if anyone’s going to own the joke, it’s him.
The Line Between Banter and Insult
Sports talk radio has always thrived on the thin line between irreverence and offense. The hosts in question likely thought they were doing harmless ribbing — the kind that’s been part of baseball culture for decades. But intent doesn’t always match impact, especially when microphones and viral clips are involved.
“It’s a different world now,” said a former MLB player turned analyst. “What used to stay in the clubhouse or in the dugout is now out there for everyone. And if you don’t have a relationship with the guy, it’s easy to cross the line without realizing it.”
Tellez’s nonchalant reaction — calling the moment “pretty stupid” and moving on — kept the situation from becoming a bigger story. But it also sparked conversations among fans about the boundaries of sports media humor.
Rowdy Being Rowdy
Ask Tellez about the incident now, and he shrugs. “People are gonna say things. If you let it ruin your day, that’s on you.”
That perspective has been shaped by a career that’s seen highs, lows, and plenty in between. Drafted by the Blue Jays in 2013, Tellez broke into the big leagues with Toronto in 2018, flashing power but struggling for consistency. A trade to Milwaukee in 2021 revitalized his bat, and his 35-homer pace in early 2022 put him in the All-Star conversation.
Injuries and slumps followed, leading to his eventual move to Texas. Now, he’s in a lineup that features Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, and Adolis García — and he’s determined to be more than just a supporting piece.
“I came here to hit, to win, and to enjoy it,” Tellez said. “If you can’t laugh at yourself sometimes, you’re in the wrong sport.”
Bigger Than a Joke
For the Rangers, the episode is little more than a funny footnote in a long season. But it’s also a reminder of the human side of the game — the personalities, the banter, the moments that never make the box score.
Tellez has turned what could have been an awkward exchange into a bonding point with fans. He’s taken ownership of the joke without letting it define him. And in doing so, he’s shown exactly why Texas wanted him in the first place.
“He’s got that perfect mix,” Heim said. “Thick skin, big bat, and a bigger heart. That’s Rowdy.”
In the end, maybe the “Girthquake” wasn’t a
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