A home run in the 2026 ALCS by Tampa Bay Rays’ third baseman Junior Caminero spurned this episode. It prompted me to comment on the out-of-proportion manner in which many current MLB players “celebrate” home runs, triples, doubles, and even singles. I think that this lack of circumspection seeped into MLB “culture” around 20 years ago, when MLB players began to express “childish” rather than “child-like” behavior, to the detriment Major League Baseball. Before then, players who hit home runs usually got around the bases in quick order — even in the post season. Now, each home run is a festive occasion that diminishes the actual reason for celebrating in the first place.

bcpodcastbaseball@gmail.com

“Field Grass,” by Sergei Pavkin

Podcast: Play in new window | Download