Main league baseball is again.
Sure, the brand new season is underway, however some new guidelines applied forward of the 2023 season have sparked a comeback for the MLB. Sport occasions are down, ratings are up, and there’s extra real pleasure about baseball than in years previous.
One thing else to be enthusiastic about with the return of baseball?
New dugout celebrations.
From inflatable dumbbells to Samurai helmets and extra, listed below are a few of the finest celebrations from the younger season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ house run sword
One thing might be taking place in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are 7-5 by their first 12 video games of the season, only a sport behind the Milwaukee Brewers within the NL Central. Positive, this can be very early within the season, however moments like Ji Hwan Bae’s walk-off house run in opposition to the Houston Astros from a couple of nights in the past make it appear to be one thing particular is occurring with the Pirates:
What else is particular?
Their house run sword.
That’s proper, the Pirates are leaning into their title, and showcasing a sword this season:
As you may count on, each celebration has an origin story, and right here’s Pittsburgh’s:
The Los Angeles Angels’ Samurai helmet
Because of Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, the Angels stay probably the most fascinating groups to observe. If solely to maintain up with our Unofficial ‘Tungsten Arm’ O’Doyle Tracker.
One more reason to observe Los Angeles this season?
Their Samurai Warrior helmet:
Ohtani reportedly picked out the helmet, and acquired to put on it not too long ago:
Super.
The Cincinnati Reds’ Viking tribute
Anybody who has adopted my work for any little bit of time is aware of my fondness for Viking lore. I’m at the moment on yet one more playthrough of Murderer’s Creed Valhalla, simply so I can run round and channel my inside Ragnar Lothbrok.
Effectively, the Cincinnati Reds are taking {that a} step additional, with a Viking-inspired celebration:
A gown and a helmet? Impressed. Simply attempt to keep away from any Blood Eagle-inspired celebrations.
Simply, please don’t Google that close to any meal occasions, and don’t analysis that whereas at work. You could have been warned, associates.
Boston’s inflatable dumbbells
Generally the perfect celebrations honor a teammate. That’s the scenario taking part in out with the Red Sox this season. Final yr’s laundry cart celebration? That’s yesterday’s information.
As an alternative, the Pink Sox are rocking some inflatable dumbbells this yr, with good cause:
The dumbbells are in honor of latest teammate Masataka Yoshida, whose nickname is Macho Man. Throughout his taking part in days in Japan with the Orix Buffaloes, Yoshida used “Macho Man” by the Village Individuals as his walk-up music, and dumbbells have been featured on video screens:
There are even some tribute videos for Yoshida set to “Macho Man.”
Inflatable dumbbells were even part of Boston’s pitch to Yoshida throughout free company.
Now they’re a part of dugout celebrations.
Milwaukee’s cheeseheads
Positive, this is perhaps somewhat on-the-nose, however the Brewers celebrating house runs with cheeseheads is simply too good to not point out:
After all, the Brewers might stake their declare to the cheesehead as an alternative of the Green Bay Packers. In spite of everything, the cheeseheads first made their look at a Brewers sport:
The slice of vivid yellow foam worn on the heads of Wisconsin sports activities followers usually signifies a Packer backer, however the Cheesehead truly made its debut at a Brewers sport.
The legend of the Cheesehead started in 1987 when Ralph Bruno was supposed to assist his mom reupholster a sofa at her south aspect Milwaukee house. When he took aside the sofa, he took out the froth inside and thought it seemed like cheese.
He took that foam, minimize it right into a triangle and burned holes into it. He spray-painted it yellow, and the primary Cheesehead was born.
Little did Bruno know that his second of inspiration would spawn not only a legendary piece of fandom, but additionally a house run celebration a long time later.
The Atlanta Braves’ BIG HATS
Ever since Washington Commanders working again Brian Robinson appeared within the locker room this fall carrying an enormous hat, the world has modified.
Large hats have proven up within the months since in quite a lot of locations. We noticed Jalen Carter wearing them on the finish of the season, Joe Milton carrying one after main Tennessee to an Orange Bowl win, and so they’ve even popped up trackside at F1 races.
They’ve now made it to the dugout in Atlanta:
As our personal James Dator wrote after Robinson first confirmed up with the BIG HAT, it’s a BIG HAT world and we’re all residing in it.
Together with the Atlanta Braves.
No matter is occurring in Baltimore
As a lot because it pains me to say this as a Pink Sox fan, however one thing magical might be taking place with the Baltimore Orioles this season, and past.
The Orioles are 6-6 within the early season, a sport forward of Boston within the AL East and 6 video games behind the 12-0 Tampa Bay Rays. However the future seems to be vivid in Birdland. Baltimore has a ton of younger expertise, in gamers like Adley Rutschman, Grayson Rodriguez, and Gunnar Henderson. Rodriguez shortly labored his approach by the Orioles’ farm system to hitch the crew this yr, whereas each Rutschman and Henderson noticed in depth time with the large membership a season in the past.
However overlook what is occurring on the sphere.
We have to speak in regards to the celebrations.
First is the “sprinkler” celebration, proven right here on a double by Austin Hays:
That alone might is sufficient to make this listing. However wait! There’s extra.
As in, a Dong Bong.
The Orioles are utilizing some completely different names for this celebration, such because the “Hydration Station” or the “Homer Hose.” However associates, that could be a Dong Bong, and in my thoughts, it’ll all the time be a Dong Bong.
And it’s superb.
The Mariners’ Trident
As talked about, we shall be updating this all through the season if and when new celebrations seem.
And we’re glad we determined to maintain this a residing submit as a result of … THE MARINERS HAVE A HOME RUN TRIDENT
See, we weren’t kidding. And it’s definitely all-caps worthy. Have a look at this trident in all its glory: