Main league baseball is again.
Sure, the brand new season is underway, however some new guidelines carried out forward of the 2023 season have sparked a comeback for the MLB. Recreation instances are down, ratings are up, and there may be 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 may very well be taking place in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are 7-5 via 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 towards the Houston Astros from a number of nights in the past make it look like one thing particular is going on 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 one of the crucial fascinating groups to look at. If solely to maintain up with our Unofficial ‘Tungsten Arm’ O’Doyle Tracker.
Another excuse to look at Los Angeles this season?
Their Samurai Warrior helmet:
Ohtani reportedly picked out the helmet, and acquired to put on it just lately:
Large.
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 present on yet one more playthrough of Murderer’s Creed Valhalla, simply so I can run round and channel my internal 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 instances, and don’t analysis that whereas at work. You have got been warned, pals.
Boston’s inflatable dumbbells
Generally the most effective celebrations honor a teammate. That’s the state of affairs 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 Purple Sox are rocking some inflatable dumbbells this yr, with good motive:
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 likely to be a bit of on-the-nose, however the Brewers celebrating house runs with cheeseheads is just too good to not point out:
In fact, the Brewers might stake their declare to the cheesehead as a substitute of the Green Bay Packers. In spite of everything, the cheeseheads first made their appearance at a Brewers game:
The slice of vibrant yellow foam worn on the heads of Wisconsin sports activities followers typically signifies a Packer backer, however the Cheesehead really 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 facet Milwaukee house. When he took aside the sofa, he took out the froth inside and thought it regarded 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 in addition a house run celebration a long time later.
The Atlanta Braves’ BIG HATS
Ever since Washington Commanders operating again Brian Robinson appeared within the locker room this fall sporting an enormous hat, the world has modified.
Huge hats have proven up within the months since in a wide range of locations. We noticed Jalen Carter wearing them on the finish of the season, Joe Milton sporting one after main Tennessee to an Orange Bowl win, they usually’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 going on in Baltimore
As a lot because it pains me to say this as a Purple Sox fan, however one thing magical may very well 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 appears vibrant in Birdland. Baltimore has a ton of younger expertise, in gamers like Adley Rutschman, Grayson Rodriguez, and Gunnar Henderson. Rodriguez rapidly labored his means via the Orioles’ farm system to hitch the group this yr, whereas each Rutschman and Henderson noticed intensive time with the massive membership a season in the past.
However neglect what is going on on the sector.
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 checklist. 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 pals, that may be a Dong Bong, and in my thoughts, it should all the time be a Dong Bong.
And it’s wonderful.
The Mariners’ Trident
As talked about, we will probably be updating this all through the season if and when new celebrations seem.
And we’re glad we determined to maintain this a residing put up as a result of … THE MARINERS HAVE A HOME RUN TRIDENT
See, we weren’t kidding. And it’s actually all-caps worthy. Take a look at this trident in all its glory:
