Angel Reese Has Had Enough: WNBA Star Claps Back After Becoming the Punchline of a Baseball Broadcast

On August 7, 2025, Angel Reese wasn’t just playing basketball — she was, once again, defending her name, her game, and her dignity.

While she had just returned to the court following a back injury and put up impressive numbers for the Chicago Sky, the conversation on social media wasn’t about her stat line or her performance.

It was about what happened on a baseball broadcast that had nothing to do with her — and yet, everything to do with the ongoing, and often unfair, narrative surrounding her.

The Viral Broadcast That Sparked It All

During a Philadelphia Phillies game against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, longtime Phillies color commentator and MLB legend John Kruk decided to take a jab — not at an opposing team, or a player on the field — but at Angel Reese, a WNBA player who had nothing to do with the game.

It began innocently enough.

With the Phillies leading 6-0 in the sixth inning, NBC Sports Philadelphia play-by-play man Tom McCarthy took a brief moment to wish a happy birthday to a friend’s wife. In the course of the conversation, McCarthy complimented his friend as being “a great basketball player.”

“I missed a lot of shots and he cleaned them up,” McCarthy joked.

Then came the comment.

Without skipping a beat, Kruk responded:

“There’s somebody in Chicago who does that a lot.”

It didn’t take long for viewers — and the internet — to connect the dots. Kruk was clearly referencing Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky star, in a mocking tone that echoed past criticisms of her game. And he wasn’t done yet.

Kruk Doubles Down on the Joke

Still chuckling, McCarthy tried to soften the moment, adding:

“Hey, she scores her points.”

To which Kruk replied:

“Yeah, she gets rebounds too.”

What was clearly intended as a joke among baseball broadcasters quickly snowballed into a viral controversy, particularly as the clip spread on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Reddit.

As if predicting the storm ahead, Kruk added,

“I’m sure we’ll be getting some tweets about that.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Angel Reese Responds Swiftly — and Sharply

Roughly an hour after the video of the broadcast started gaining traction online, Angel Reese responded in the way only she can — unfiltered, direct, and unapologetically herself.

She posted on X:

“Clout is a STRONG drug. It really reaches a certain level.”

While she didn’t mention Kruk by name, everyone knew exactly who she was talking about.

But she didn’t stop there.

She followed up with a message on TikTok that left no room for misinterpretation:

“To anyone who’s treated me badly and is now struggling in life, good luck.”

The message was clear: she’s tired — tired of being mocked, tired of being the target, tired of being the butt of the joke.

Angel Reese: A Star Under the Microscope

This wasn’t the first time Angel Reese has been ridiculed by the media or by public figures.

Since her explosive college career at LSU, where she helped lead the team to a national championship and became one of the most talked-about players in the sport, Reese has consistently been placed under a microscope. Whether it’s her attitude, her style, her social media posts, or her body language on the court — everything she does becomes a topic of conversation.

Some praise her confidence. Others criticize her for being “too much.”

But one thing is certain: no one ignores her.

And perhaps that’s exactly why figures like Kruk — someone outside of basketball — feel the need to mention her at all. Because Angel Reese, like it or not, is part of the culture.

Back to the Court: Reese Returns with a Vengeance

Amid all the noise, Angel Reese had just made her return to action after missing two games due to a lingering back injury. And despite the Sky falling short in a tough matchup against the Washington Mystics, Reese put up serious numbers.

22 points

13 rebounds

3 assists

3 steals

2 blocks

She shot only 6-of-16 from the field, but went 10-of-11 from the free throw line. She led her team in scoring, effort, and physicality — the way she always does.

And yet, the headlines weren’t about her double-double.

They were about a baseball guy making fun of her on TV.

The Larger Problem: Why Is Angel Reese Everyone’s Punching Bag?

The incident with John Kruk highlighted a bigger issue that fans — and even fellow athletes — have begun to speak up about: Why is Angel Reese constantly targeted in the media and beyond?

Is it because she’s a confident Black woman in a league that still fights for equal respect?

Is it because she’s loud, unapologetic, and refuses to smile just to make people comfortable?

Is it because she’s young, rich, and already influential?

The answer may be all of the above.

And Angel Reese seems well aware of that dynamic — which is likely why her responses aren’t just about Kruk, but about a larger culture that constantly questions her worth.

fand Players Rally Around Reese

In the hours following the incident, fans across social media rallied behind Angel. Hashtags like #LeaveAngelAlone and #RespectReese began trending. Many pointed out the double standard in how male athletes — or even other WNBA players — are treated compared to Reese.

Some notable reactions:

“Angel Reese is literally minding her business playing basketball and still ends up being insulted by baseball announcers??”

“You don’t have to like her, but the obsession with bringing her down is weird.”

“Why is John Kruk talking about Angel Reese during a baseball game anyway?”

Even former athletes weighed in, calling out Kruk for taking cheap shots and using his platform to tear down a young woman he’s never played against or worked with.

Reese’s Legacy Is Still Being Written

Despite the drama, Angel Reese continues to define her career on her own terms. She’s not afraid to speak out. She’s not afraid to clap back. And she’s not afraid to show up — even when the cameras aren’t on her side.

She’s building a brand that goes far beyond the WNBA. From NIL deals to social media influence to potential future opportunities in entertainment, Angel Reese isn’t just a baller — she’s a cultural force.

And every time someone tries to drag her down, she seems to rise higher.

Conclusion: Angel Reese Isn’t Backing Down — And That’s the Point

If you expected Angel Reese to shrink back, stay quiet, or just “play ball” while others mocked her, you haven’t been paying attention.

She’s tired of being the joke.
She’s tired of being the villain in someone else’s story.
She’s ready to write her own.

In the end, Reese’s response wasn’t about Kruk. It was about setting a boundary — a reminder that she’s not just a headline or a target. She’s a 22-year-old superstar with a voice, and she’s not afraid to use it.

Because when people stop talking behind your back and start taking shots at you on national TV…
You must be doing something right