WATCH: Pittsburgh Pirates Introduce Home Run Sword Celebration
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have unveiled a new dugout celebration for the 2023 Major League Baseball season.
When a player hits a home run, he will take out the home run sword, hold it up to a teammate, and pretend to slash him with it.
Outfielder Jack Suwinski hit a two-run bomb Tuesday night off Houston Astros pitcher Cristian Javier, calling for the home run sword. Suwinski approached Pirates first baseman Ji-Man Choi with the sword, as the teammates shared a laugh.
Per a Twitter video released by the Pirates on Tuesday, the club was looking for a home run celebration for the new season. More and more teams appear to be adding fun dugout traditions for home runs. In 2021, the Boston Red Sox began pushing home run hitters in a cart. That same season, Philadelphia Phillies players wore straw hats in the dugout after hitting a home run.
The Pirates were wanting to do something pirate-themed, true to their team name. After seeing fans in the stands with prop swords, the club found inspiration.
Once the club expressed interest in acquiring a sword, fans generously donated one to the club after a recent game.
The Pirates hope that the sword will make a lot of appearances in 2023. The club got off to an impressive 6-3 start through their first three series. The Pirates lost 100 or more games in each of their last two seasons. The club has not posted a winning season since 2018, and hasn't made the postseason since 2015.
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