Who does it better? Atlanta Braves new umbrella dugout celebration

Baseball is indeed gradually continuing to loosen up with bigger bat flips, emotional displays, and the like.  As part of this new expression era, the Atlanta Braves may have triggered something unique.

Let’s face it… whether we’re talking about the Atlanta Braves or any other MLB club, dugout rituals have been pretty lame in recent years.

Until recently, the most unusual thing you might have seen following a teammate’s home run was the Silent Treatment – and that typically only after a first homer for a rookie.

3 years ago, Richie Shaffer of the Rays turned that reception on its ear by doing ‘air high-5’s’ when he was given that now-traditional inaugural reception

The next season, the Yankees decided to troll the traveling media circus that accompanies every one of their games by conducting their own mock press conference in the dugout following homers.

Last season, the Astros started an odd – and not terribly well choreographed – practice of hugs followed by camera staredowns.

The Atlanta Braves, however, may have come up with an idea that’s unique, fun, with the feel of spontaneity.

It’s pretty certain that the Atlanta Braves wouldn’t be up to this kind of shenanigans unless 2 things had converged to become their own living meme:

• That Josh Donaldson‘s nickname is ‘Bringer of Rain’
• That he’s taken an already strong season up to another level in July and August

The numbers are impressive:

• 228 plate appearances; 185 AB’s
• 41 walks – 24 of those in August alone
• 18 homers… and you can add 1 for September now.
• 9 doubles, 23 singles
• 38 RBI and runs created (wRC+)  over 155
• OPS – roughly 1.020

All of that led to his teammates going the extra mile for him:

From the look on his face, it’s pretty clear that he’s appreciating the gesture:

So now Braves’ Twitter is less about Tiger Woods (not completely, but ‘less’) and momentum is gaining for the umbrella.  That even includes …. yes, a parody twitter account.

But do note that not everybody seems to be on board with this entertainment interlude:

No, it seems that Brian Snitker is still just a bit too Old School for this kind of expression.  Oh well… I guess Dad just isn’t happy with his kids.

We don’t yet know what the future holds, but there’s two thoughts that this display triggers.

• There’s nothing whatsoever wrong in the Braves clubhouse
• Maybe… just maybe… that might be enough to coax Josh Donaldson into wanting to stick around for around season or two.

A team that’s winning, a team that needs you, and a team that likes having you around.  That’s a tough combination to find… and perhaps a tough one to ignore.

This is getting all ahead of ourselves, of course, but this all has the feel of a clubhouse that’s coming together for a common purpose.

At the All-Star break, the Braves were 54-37 (.593).  Today they are 85-54 (.611).  This is not a team on cruise control… they are pushing to the finish and as strange as this may seem, even little things like this umbrella party illustrate a unified team.

It’s September 3rd.  Can’t wait to see what else unfolds over the next 2 months.