Guardians fans have become accustomed to Josh Naylor's excessive celebrations throughout Cleveland's surprising 2022 campaign. Naylor took that to the national scene on Sunday.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Guardians designated hitter launched a solo home run off Yankees starter Gerrit Cole, pulling Cleveland to within a run at 3-2. As he was rounding the bases, he began to violently rock his arms as if cradling a baby.
The celebration drew plenty of attention to fans unaccustomed to Naylor's fiery playing style. What prompted this particular celebration? Here's a look.
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Josh Naylor's home run celebration, explained
During the TBS broadcast, dugout reporter Lauren Shehadi was all over this celebration. She said that Cleveland pitcher Triston McKenzie had told MLB.com's Mandy Bell that he deems himself the father over whomever he hits a home run.
"When he homers off people, he calls them his son, hence the rocking the baby as he runs around the bases staring at Cole, his son, in this instance," Shehadi said on the broadcast.
Play-by-play voice Bob Costas added to that explanation, clarifying that it is a new version of "I'm your daddy."
“I’m your daddy” - Bob Costas, obviously pic.twitter.com/ObSnbbsiK6
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) October 17, 2022
After the game, Cole described it as "cute."
Gerrit Cole on Josh Naylor's "rocking the baby" home-run trot: "Yeah. Whatever. It's cute."
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) October 17, 2022
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Naylor has had plenty of excessive celebrations throughout this season. After a go-ahead home run against the White Sox in May, he made it back to the dugout and spiked his home run into the tunnel.
Josh Naylor has that dawg in him. 😤
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 10, 2022
(via @Fanatlc1) pic.twitter.com/iUXupnhZZw
When Naylor hit a walk-off home run against the Twins in June, manager Terry Francona had to greet him outside the dugout with a helmet on to keep him protected from the inevitable headbutt.
Tito wears a helmet whenever Josh does anything special.
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) June 30, 2022
Josh headbutted him anyways. 😭#ForTheLand | #GuardiWins pic.twitter.com/icGiArELy5
Naylor has often played the role of hero for Cleveland during the season. If the Guardians keep their postseason run going, he could unveil plenty of other wild home run celebrations.
