Does anyone know the purpose of the point?

YouTheManNick · 08-21-2025, 04:33 PM

For a few years now, it seems like literally every time an MLB player hits a home run, while trotting between first and second base he sticks his right arm out and does a various gesture to the ... the center field scoreboard? the bleachers? The gesture varies but is usually some form of point.

Anyone know what this is about? Where / how it started? Who started it?

I know traditionally there have been guys who point up to the sky to acknowledge God or someone who has passed on. But this is different. They're not really pointing straight up to the sky.

I just want to know why.

Thanks.

PS: I know this isn't card related. But I can't think of a better place to ask such a baseball specific question.

Twalk1975 · 08-21-2025, 04:37 PM

I can't remember who it was, but I recall a player saying that they were pointing at their teammates in the bullpen.

fabiani12333 · 08-21-2025, 04:37 PM

As Hawk Harrelson would say, "You can put it on the board -- yes!"

YouTheManNick · 08-21-2025, 04:51 PM

Hmmm. Both of those replies make sense.

asujbl · 08-21-2025, 04:54 PM

Is this a thing? I don’t think this is a thing

hammertime · 08-21-2025, 05:04 PM

Definitely a shout-out to the bullpen.

YouTheManNick · 08-21-2025, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

Is this a thing? I don’t think this is a thing

Really? You've never noticed? Watch a replay of a recent home run. If the camera cuts to the guy as he trots between first and second base he'll pretty much always point out to the bullpen / scoreboard / whatever.

Chrominator · 08-21-2025, 05:35 PM

asujbl · 08-21-2025, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YouTheManNick

Really? You've never noticed? Watch a replay of a recent home run. If the camera cuts to the guy as he trots between first and second base he'll pretty much always point out to the bullpen / scoreboard / whatever.

Nope. Never noticed

Seems like it’s in your head

FromNBAtoNFL · 08-21-2025, 05:49 PM

I remember players back in the 90's would point to the bleacher with their bat and hit the ball at that spot.

TBTC Baseball · 08-21-2025, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

Nope. Never noticed

Seems like it’s in your head

That's just 2 out of the first 4 videos on MLB, they cut from Lindor just as he started to point.

fabiani12333 · 08-21-2025, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

Nope. Never noticed

Seems like it’s in your head

OP -- it's not in your head. It's basically a cliche to see players pointing upward or in the direction of the bleachers after hitting a dinger. It's probably just a natural reaction, similar to football players throwing their arms in the air after a touchdown.

YouTheManNick · 08-21-2025, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

OP -- it's not in your head. It's basically a cliche to see players pointing upward or in the direction of the bleachers after hitting a dinger. It's probably just a natural reaction, similar to football players throwing their arms in the air after a touchdown.

Ha. Don't worry. I know it's not in my head.

I mean. It looks kinda cool so I ain't mad about it. Just curious as to the why.

Jazz Chisholm · 08-21-2025, 06:52 PM

They’re throwing up the L sign to the pitcher

Twalk1975 · 08-21-2025, 06:53 PM

According to this article, Rhys Hoskins started it.

Sent from my SM-S156V using Tapatalk

YouTheManNick · 08-21-2025, 08:36 PM

Interesting.

BigL7370 · 08-21-2025, 09:30 PM

I thought Trout started this, but guess not.

livfreely · 08-21-2025, 09:41 PM

Since we are on pet peeves. I can’t stand the stupid “dance” they do when they get a hit while on base. I hate that bs

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

f2tornado · 08-22-2025, 04:26 PM

Barry Bonds got the party started but typically did it when touching home. Rhys Hoskins gets the credit for starting the bullpen salute on the basepaths.

jjcan · 08-22-2025, 05:24 PM

I am pretty sure it goes back to Ruth when he was asking for a hot dog after he was done rounding the bases.

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JoshMN · 08-22-2025, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjcan

I am pretty sure it goes back to Ruth when he was asking for a hot dog after he was done rounding the bases.

Attachment 566700

You have the “goes back to Ruth” part right. This phenomenon is just today’s players trying to keep up with the GOAT.

They are trying to “call their shot” like Ruth did. They are just not good enough to call it before they hit it, so they point to it afterward.

SaveMeTheGum · 08-22-2025, 09:45 PM

It's a Freemason thing. Shhhhhhhhh......

08-21-2025, 04:33 PM	#1
YouTheManNick Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 2,615 trapjaw73 YTMN	Does anyone know the purpose of the point? For a few years now, it seems like literally every time an MLB player hits a home run, while trotting between first and second base he sticks his right arm out and does a various gesture to the ... the center field scoreboard? the bleachers? The gesture varies but is usually some form of point. Anyone know what this is about? Where / how it started? Who started it? I know traditionally there have been guys who point up to the sky to acknowledge God or someone who has passed on. But this is different. They're not really pointing straight up to the sky. I just want to know why. Thanks. PS: I know this isn't card related. But I can't think of a better place to ask such a baseball specific question. __________________ They're = they are. Their = possession. There = "I went there." Two = 2. Too = "Me too." To = "He went to the card show." Your = "your cards." You're = "you're welcome."

08-21-2025, 04:51 PM	#4
YouTheManNick Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 2,615 trapjaw73 YTMN	Hmmm. Both of those replies make sense. __________________ They're = they are. Their = possession. There = "I went there." Two = 2. Too = "Me too." To = "He went to the card show." Your = "your cards." You're = "you're welcome."

08-21-2025, 04:54 PM	#5
asujbl Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 63,338 ohiosundevils	Is this a thing? I don’t think this is a thing __________________ https://ohiosundevils.smugmug.com/ Browns/Cavs/Tribe/Buckeyes/Jackets/Devils TheFrenzy - “Blowout ain't a place for normies”

08-21-2025, 05:04 PM	#6
hammertime Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: OH->MI->MD->VA Posts: 6,913	Definitely a shout-out to the bullpen. __________________ Collecting foci: E98 master set, HOF rookie autos, Reds HOF autos, All-time top southpaws (Plank, Waddell, Grove, Hubbell, Spahn, Ford, Koufax, Carlton, Johnson, Kershaw), Ohtani

08-21-2025, 08:36 PM	#16
YouTheManNick Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 2,615 trapjaw73 YTMN	Interesting. __________________ They're = they are. Their = possession. There = "I went there." Two = 2. Too = "Me too." To = "He went to the card show." Your = "your cards." You're = "you're welcome."

08-21-2025, 04:37 PM	#2
Twalk1975 Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,012	I can't remember who it was, but I recall a player saying that they were pointing at their teammates in the bullpen.

08-21-2025, 04:37 PM	#3
fabiani12333 Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 12,418	As Hawk Harrelson would say, "You can put it on the board -- yes!"

08-21-2025, 05:35 PM	#8
Chrominator Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Earth-616 Posts: 5,341 Chrominator

08-21-2025, 05:49 PM	#10
FromNBAtoNFL Member Join Date: Aug 2024 Location: West Coast Posts: 60 toomanybasecards	I remember players back in the 90's would point to the bleacher with their bat and hit the ball at that spot.

08-21-2025, 06:52 PM	#14
Jazz Chisholm Banned Join Date: Dec 2023 Posts: 376	They’re throwing up the L sign to the pitcher

08-21-2025, 06:53 PM	#15
Twalk1975 Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,012	According to this article, Rhys Hoskins started it. Sent from my SM-S156V using Tapatalk

08-21-2025, 09:30 PM	#17
BigL7370 Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,062	I thought Trout started this, but guess not.

08-21-2025, 09:41 PM	#18
livfreely Member Join Date: Apr 2025 Posts: 1,249	Since we are on pet peeves. I can’t stand the stupid “dance” they do when they get a hit while on base. I hate that bs Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-22-2025, 04:26 PM	#19
f2tornado Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 2,369 f2tornado f2tornado	Barry Bonds got the party started but typically did it when touching home. Rhys Hoskins gets the credit for starting the bullpen salute on the basepaths.

08-22-2025, 05:24 PM	#20
jjcan Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 1,357	I am pretty sure it goes back to Ruth when he was asking for a hot dog after he was done rounding the bases.

08-22-2025, 09:45 PM	#22
SaveMeTheGum Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NH --> CA --> SC Posts: 16,711 Cardboard_Dynamite CardboardDynamite	It's a Freemason thing. Shhhhhhhhh...... __________________ Pay fast. Ship fast. Deal with people honestly. IG: CardboardDynamite