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. Recreation occasions are down, rankings 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 here are a few of the finest celebrations from the younger season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ residence run sword
One thing might be occurring in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are 7-5 by way of their first 12 video games of the season, only a recreation behind the Milwaukee Brewers within the NL Central. Certain, this can be very early within the season, however moments like Ji Hwan Bae’s walk-off residence run in opposition to the Houston Astros from a number of nights in the past make it seem to be one thing particular is occurring with the Pirates:
What else is particular?
Their residence run sword.
That’s proper, the Pirates are leaning into their identify, and showcasing a sword this season:
As you would possibly anticipate, each celebration has an origin story, and right here’s Pittsburgh’s:
The Los Angeles Angels’ Samurai helmet
Due to Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, the Angels stay some of the fascinating groups to observe. If solely to maintain up with our Unofficial ‘Tungsten Arm’ O’Doyle Tracker.
Another excuse to observe Los Angeles this season?
Their Samurai Warrior helmet:
Ohtani reportedly picked out the helmet, and obtained to put on it lately:
Great.
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 one more playthrough of Murderer’s Creed Valhalla, simply so I can run round and channel my interior Ragnar Lothbrok.
Effectively, the Cincinnati Reds are taking {that a} step additional, with a Viking-inspired celebration:
A gown and a helmet? Impressed. Simply try 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 have got been warned, mates.
Boston’s inflatable dumbbells
Generally one of the best celebrations honor a teammate. That’s the scenario enjoying out with the Pink Sox this season. Final 12 months’s laundry cart celebration? That’s yesterday’s information.
As a substitute, the Pink Sox are rocking some inflatable dumbbells this 12 months, with good cause:
The dumbbells are in honor of recent teammate Masataka Yoshida, whose nickname is Macho Man. Throughout his enjoying 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 movies for Yoshida set to “Macho Man.”
Inflatable dumbbells have been even a part of Boston’s pitch to Yoshida throughout free company.
Now they’re a part of dugout celebrations.
Milwaukee’s cheeseheads
Certain, this is perhaps a little bit on-the-nose, however the Brewers celebrating residence runs with cheeseheads is just too good to not point out:
After all, the Brewers may stake their declare to the cheesehead as a substitute of the Inexperienced Bay Packers. In any case, the cheeseheads first made their look at a Brewers recreation:
The slice of shiny yellow foam worn on the heads of Wisconsin sports activities followers usually signifies a Packer backer, however the Cheesehead really made its debut at a Brewers recreation.
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 residence. When he took aside the sofa, he took out the froth inside and thought it appeared like cheese.
He took that foam, reduce 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 operating again Brian Robinson appeared within the locker room this fall carrying 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 carrying them on the finish of the season, Joe Milton carrying 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 dwelling 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 occurring with the Baltimore Orioles this season, and past.
The Orioles are 6-6 within the early season, a recreation forward of Boston within the AL East and 6 video games behind the 12-0 Tampa Bay Rays. However the future seems shiny in Birdland. Baltimore has a ton of younger expertise, in gamers like Adley Rutschman, Grayson Rodriguez, and Gunnar Henderson. Rodriguez shortly labored his manner by way of the Orioles’ farm system to hitch the staff this 12 months, whereas each Rutschman and Henderson noticed in depth time with the massive membership a season in the past.
However neglect what is occurring on the sector.
We have to discuss concerning the celebrations.
First is the “sprinkler” celebration, proven right here on a double by Austin Hays:
That alone may is sufficient to make this record. However wait! There’s extra.
As in, a Dong Bong.
The Orioles are utilizing some totally different names for this celebration, such because the “Hydration Station” or the “Homer Hose.” However mates, that could be a Dong Bong, and in my thoughts, it’ll all the time be a Dong Bong.
And it’s wonderful.
