When full generations miss out on defining events, it takes some time to bring them back up to speed. In the 22 years since the Toronto Blue Jays and their fans had something to celebrate, MLB locker room celebrations have changed quite a bit.
First off this isn’t new. Many suggested the Blue Jays’ celebration on Wednesday was a bit preemptive because they have yet to win home field advantage never mind the World Series. But for the uninitiated, the Blue Jays weren’t getting ahead of themselves. They were merely embarking in one of baseball’s most charming traditions.
In a sport where the regular season alone lasts 162 games and many players go entire careers without post-season opportunities, the champagne shower is warranted. The Blue Jays weren’t even the only team to celebrate this week.
Clayton Kershaw, centre, celebrates with teammates in the locker room after the Dodgers clinched he NL West title. (Jeff Chiu/AP)
Kansas City Royals’ Salvador Perez, right, pours champagne onto Eric Hosmer in the clubhouse after the Royals clinched the AL Central with a 10-4 win over the Seattle Mariners. (Charlie Riedel/AP)
New York Mets’ Yoenis Cespedes uncorks champagne as he celebrates with teammates in the clubhouse after clinching the NL East title. (Aaron Doster/AP)
The party atmosphere is not unique to the Toronto ball club, and it’s not unique to this era either. Back in his day New York Yankees great Yogi Berra celebrated winning the pennant in style.
New York Yankees manager Yogi Berra, left, gets a champagne shower from Pete Ramos after the Yankees clinched the American League pennant in 1964. (AP/File)
What Munenori Kawasaki refers to as a “bush party” is now not only filmed live, but also streamed live — something that wasn’t the case in 1992-93.
Toronto Blue Jays’ Pat Borders gets doused in beer holding the World Series MVP trophy on Oct. 24, 1992. (Hans Deryk/CP)
The glass beer bottles have given way to metal-coloured versions with plenty of Budweiser branding so nobody forgets who MLB’s official beer sponsor is.
There’s one exception: the St. Louis Cardinals, who play in the home of Anheuser-Busch, went with Budweiser king cans.
A group of St. Louis Cardinals players pose for a photo after clinching the NL Central Division with an 11-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Although a beer and champagne solution still burns the eyes as much as ever, an accessory has been added to limit its debilitating effect.
Enter the beer goggles (more commonly used to describe a lack of judgment when under the influence of alcohol). In baseball celebratory terms it refers to the article of clothing that is equal parts fashion accessory and protective measure.
Some have elected to don swimming goggles, going for more of a Michael Phelps look.
Jerry Hairston Jr., right, and others douse pitcher CC Sabathia with champagne after the Yankees clinched the American League East in 2009. (Kathy Willens/AP)
Sergio Romo kisses Marco Scutaro as they are sprayed with champagne in the locker room after the Giants beat the Tigers to win the World Series in 2012. (David J. Phillip/AP)
Others are keeping it in the family by going with more of a sport glasses look. This is certainly a more aerodynamic option but not as aesthetically pleasing.
Jason Motte is doused with champagne as he celebrates the Cubs clinching a post-season berth. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
David Ortiz is thought to be the Godfather of the modern day goggle look.
David Ortiz, right, is sprayed with champagne after the team defeated the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 4 of the ALDS. (Mike Carlson/AP)
Ski goggles have been the goggle of choice (we haven’t seen snorkeling goggles just yet) and unlike everything else in our culture, they have gotten bigger in size throughout the years.
Kevin Youkilis, right, pours champagne on Julio Lugo after the Boston Red Sox defeated the Colorado Rockies to win the 2007 World Series. (David J. Phillip/AP)
With such a cumbersome garment on your face, the commemorative hat is tough to position, so wearing it backwards or discarding it altogether is often the most prudent choice.
B.J. Upton is sprayed with champagne after the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Boston Red Sox to win the 2008 ALCS. (Chris O’Meara/AP)
Not all players need eyewear. Madison Bumgarner chooses to view every bottle he simultaneously chugs when celebrating his MVP-worthy post-season work.
The goggles are by no means a sign you are not tough enough to endure the pain of champagne. As Kevin Pillar displayed, when it is your turn to get doused in bubbly by your adoring teammates you discard the goggles to make sure you get the full sensory experience.
Kevin Pillar gets sprayed with champagne after the Blue Jays clinched their first AL East title in 22 years. (Patrick Semansky/AP)
Remember with the room full of cameras brand placement is paramount. Although Oakley is the default brand of choice, many players take brand loyalty seriously and show love to their athletic supplier. Nike athlete Jason Heyward made sure to “Just Do It” with his swoosh in plain sight for all to see.
Jason Heyward pops the cork on a bottle of champagne after the Cardinals clinched the NL Central. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Although the post-season drought means they are late to the party, the Blue Jays are already trendsetters in this arena. The general manager wearing goggles is an uncommon occurrence. Most try and play the part of professional leader and are reluctant celebrant.
Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore is doused with champagne in the clubhouse after the Royals clinched the AL Central. (Charlie Riedel/AP)
Alex Anthopoulos bucked convention in configuring the roster, so it stands to reason he’d do the same in his celebration of the Blue Jays’ biggest accomplishment in decades.
The team-wide GoPro is also a relatively new wrinkle with David Price, Jose Bautista, Brett Cecil, Dioner Navarro and others using a mobile camera strapped to their heads to capture their perspective in HD. The celebration selfie stick isn’t far behind.
The way this team is playing, we could see a few more goggle parties in the coming weeks. The way the fans have become swept up with this team we could see supporters in and around the stadium wearing ski goggles far before anyone in this country is thinking about hitting the slopes. It’s been a party for the last month and a half, a feeling new to most around this club. But don’t be alarmed if your favourite Blue Jay is seen wearing those goofy goggles this October. On the clubhouse runway, “who wore it best” is whatever team has the privilege to slide on the foggy beer goggles last.