MLB

5 Teams That Might Follow the Angels’ Lead And Ban Walk-Off Celebrations

After Kendry Morales injured himself during a walk-off celebration this weekend, some managers are contemplating banning the practice altogether as a way to avoid further injuries. At the very least, it’s given players and personnel reason for pause before condoning such moments of free-for-all excitement. In fact, the Angels found themselves back in the same position on Sunday following Howie Kendrick’s walk-off home run. But the celebration was noticeably subdued. Something was noticeably missing from the aftermath of his race around the bases.

It’s perfectly understandable why Kendrick’s teammates steered clear of mobbing him at home plate when he touched the base. They weren’t going to risk another injury for the sake of festivity. Aside from leading the Angels to shy away from the practice, the Morales injury has awakened other squads to the danger that exists within a large crowd of bouncing people. As much fun as it is to greet a player with a team celebration, it’s better to be careful not to risk losing a star to a freak accident, like the Angels are now adjusting to. At least five other teams have begun to consider instituting new policies regarding what is acceptable and safe behavior following a walk-off hit. Here, a rundown of who’s looking to put safety first:

1. New York Yankees. They’re a team that’s become accustomed to winning on the final out of a game, promoting the highest drama. “I had never heard of anyone getting hurt in that situation but I worry now. As far as talking to the team I would just tell them be cautious, be careful, let the guy run across home plate. Don’t beat him on the head too hard,” Joe Girardi told the New York Post.

2. Atlanta Braves. The team leads the league in walk-off winners (6) this season. “It’s something you never picture happening…maybe it’ll change the way we celebrate walk-offs,” Nate McLouth said on MLB.com. It’s hard to imagine that the Braves would refrain from celebrating at the close of their next last-second win. The excitement just overtakes you.

3. Minnesota Twins. It’s actually happened to them before. “When they jumped around the field following their series-clinching victory at Oakland in the 2002 playoffs, infielder Denny Hocking fell to the ground and was spiked by a teammate,” reports the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. (Hocking “initially suggested the spiking was intentional.”) Manager Ron Gardenhire says there’s no reason to panic: “[T]here’s one injury and now you want us to quit…I don’t tell them what to do at home plate.”

4. Texas Rangers. Next time Ian Kinsler hits a walk-off, “I’m going to crawl,” he joked in the Dallas Morning News. But someone close by is very concerned. Manager Ron Washington is looking to come up with a new way for his team to celebrate big moments. “We certainly don’t need someone getting hurt after you win a ballgame,” he said.

5. Kansas City Royals. But it could be hard to eliminate the rites of passage, said Royals manager Ned Yost on MLB.com. “[T]hat’s the fun of a walk-off win — the excitement that’s generated because of it. You fight hard and you work and all of sudden, the game’s over and your emotions pour out. I don’t think you want to stop that.” Nevertheless, it’s still worth being careful. “[W]e need to keep an eye on it and make sure it tempers down a little bit.” But lost in this whole saga is the fact that the Angels scored a win at an improbable time, with the odds stacked against them. “All I know is I would like to practice our walk-off celebrations a lot more than we have this year,” Yost added.