We had an interesting conversation today in The Fast Lane about the Brewers, and the way they untuck their jerseys after a win. In general, the group in the studio agreed that, despite the fact that the maneuver is a tribute to Mike Cameron’s hard working father, it smacks of showing up the opposition when the Brewers beat them.

 

Indeed, if Cameron’s father worked hard and came home and untucked his shirt every day, shouldn’t the Brewers untuck after EVERY game? Don’t they work hard every game? But they only do it to celebrate wins.

Several Cardinal fans called and texted to point out that Albert Pujols has a tendency to toss his bat and watch home runs when he hits a game winning blast. To me, that’s a little bit different. Number one, I have no problem with showing emotion in a dramatic situation. If a pitcher pumps his fist after a strikeout or a hitter claps his hands while rounding the bases after a homer, that’s one thing.

But if a baseball team presents a choreographed celebration, that’s another. This is not the NFL, where celebrations are a staple of the sport. And these celebrations aren’t spontaneous, they’re planned. Can you imagine a Cardinal team, or the Yankees or Dodgers with a planned celebration after wins?

So ultimately, here’s where I come down. Celebrations in the NFL, good. I liked the Bob & Weave, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, and even Joe Horn’s cell phone.

Individuals reacting to dramatic moments in any sport, good. I liked it when Jack Clark looked into the Cardinal dugout after his game six playoff homer vs. the Dodgers in 1985. I liked Kirk Gibson pumping his fist after his ’88 World Series homer vs. the A’s. And, I liked the fist pumps of Michael Jordan after a big bucket or Tiger Woods after a big putt. I tolerate Joba Chamberlain’s emotion better than most baseball fans.

I draw the line at team celebrations in baseball. And I think the Brewers should keep their shirts tucked in.