When players like Mike Trout or Shohei Ohtani hit home runs for the Los Angeles Angels, they are rewarded with a Samurai helmet placed on their heads as they return to the dugout. The San Diego Padres strike a cheesy pose and snap a dugout Polaroid to commemorate their conqueror homer heroes. In Milwaukee, the celebrations involve the slugger donning a cheesehead hat and traversing the length of the Brewers’ dugout. Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox honor the moment with a mobster jacket and hat. However, when the Cleveland Guardians have a player hit a homer, the only celebration that occurs is some good old-fashioned cheering from the bench.
Designated hitter Josh Bell explains that the Guardians do not currently have any elaborate or choreographed rituals like other teams. Cleveland has hit the fewest home runs in Major League Baseball this season, with just 48. Last year, they ranked 29th out of 30 teams. Bell jokes that maybe they should start celebrating more if they don’t hit home runs.
On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Tampa Bay Rays, who have experienced an unexpected power surge this season. They became the first team to reach 50 wins and have hit 120 home runs, the second most in the league. This surge in power coincides with their playoff series loss to the Guardians last October, where they struggled to score runs.
To address their hitting deficiencies, the Rays implemented a unique drill during spring training. Hitters ran through sessions in the batting cage without swinging, focusing solely on identifying pitches and locations. Digital tracking devices relayed pitch information to the hitters, allowing them to confirm their pitch recognition skills. The emphasis was on improving the quality of at-bats rather than hitting home runs.
This approach has paid off for players like Luke Raley, who had only hit three career home runs before this season but now has 12. The Rays’ improved power numbers have contributed to this year’s high home run rate in MLB. Their success is impressive considering both teams have low payrolls and rely on analytical approaches to build their rosters.
While the Rays have embraced their newfound power, the Guardians prioritize on-base percentage, youth, and speed. They are the youngest team in the league for the second consecutive season and have a fast roster. Hitting coach Chris Valaika believes power is something that develops with time and experience, and expects the team’s power numbers to increase as their young players continue to develop.
Cleveland’s lack of power puts pressure on their ability to generate offense in other ways. Manager Terry Francona emphasizes the importance of getting hits and running the bases aggressively. The Guardians understand their identity as a team that excels in other areas, but they still appreciate the impact of three-run homers.
Perhaps when they do hit home runs, the Guardians will consider implementing more celebratory rituals. The Rays, still new to the home run game, have a simple “Home Run Tunnel” where players raise their hands as the hitter runs through. Both teams have their own unique approaches to celebrating their power surges.
Overall, the Guardians and Rays have found success despite their different approaches to home runs. Cleveland focuses on contact and player development, while Tampa Bay has embraced a more analytical approach to hitting. Despite their differences, both teams have found a way to compete and excel in the league.
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