MLB Power Rankings: Yankee Stadium's “Roll Call” and Top 25 MLB Traditions
It's a wonderful thing baseball is back. After a long cold winter, we can finally get back to spring time, warmth, and baseball.
Now that we can enjoy our pastime again, we can get back to the traditions that we practice for every baseball game. Sure different teams have different traditions, but these traditions bind us from one generation to the next.
Traditions are one of the most important parts of baseball. Here is a list of the top 25 traditions in baseball stadiums:
#25: Back in the Saddle Again at Angel Games
1 of 25Gene Autry had such a huge impact on the Halos, it’s only fitting to kick off getting "Back in the Saddle Again" for another list.
"Back in the Saddle" is played during the seventh inning of every Angel game as a tribute to the team's first owner.
#24: Homer Hanky at the Metrodome
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A major tradition among the Minnesota faithful, the Homer Hanky is printed yearly by the Star Tribune and given to fans as a promotional item during the pennant race.
Fans love their Homer Hankies, and who can forget seeing fans with them during big games at the old Metrodome?
#23: Thundersticks at Angel Stadium
3 of 25Love them or hate them, the Thundersticks are a huge part of Angel baseball and were essential to the team’s 2002 World Series run along with the Rally Monkey.
With so many fans banging the Thundersticks together, a loud thunderous noise resonated through the stadium that causes many opposing players to lose their focus.
Thundersticks are used in many stadiums now, but they will always be remembered for the Angels’ association with them.
#22: God Bless America at Yankee Stadium
4 of 25Some people believe playing God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch is an unfair advantage to the Yankees, as it somehow disrupts the opposing pitcher. Others believe it is a waste of time.
However, it is a somber tradition started in the aftermath of 9/11 that shows the Yankees’ commitment to their country and their city, and also serves as why the Yankees best represent them.
#21: All-You-Can-Eat Pavillion at Dodger Stadium
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The Dodgers have a special seating section in the right field bleachers that gives access to an all-you-can-eat pavilion in the stadium.
There, you can chow down on as many hot dogs, nachos, peanuts, and popcorn as you can handle. Unlimited soda is also included, making for a unique ballpark experience and tradition most Dodger fans take advantage of at some point in their lifetime.
#20: Boats at McCovey Cove
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Certainly an excellent way to catch a Giants game. Boasts make their way to McCovey cove at AT&T Park to support their team and wait for a home run ball to make its way into the cove.
Who can forget all the boats waiting for all the big home runs Barry Bonds hit into the cove?
#19: National Anthem at Camden Yards
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Every American Ballpark, and even in Canada, the National Anthem is played at stadiums before play begins.
However, Oriole fans have the most unique take on our national anthem. When the anthem begins, they all sing the lyric “Oh” because it sounds like the O’s, their nickname.
#18: Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye at Comiskey Park
8 of 25Whenever an opposing pitcher gets yanked for ineffectiveness at a White Sox home game, legendary organist Nancy Faust plays the Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye on the organ.
The fans love it, and join in serenading the opposing pitcher who has just failed to stop the South Siders. Although this song is utilized in many other sports, it was originated by Faust at Comiskey Park.
#17: Go Cubs Go at Wrigley Field
9 of 25The Cubs play Go Cubs Go after every victory at Wrigley Field. The fans love it and has been the official theme and victory song for the Cubs on and off for almost 30 years.
The song is so widely embraced, that WGN, the television broadcaster of Cubs games show the fans singing along to the song after every Cubs win.
#16: Presidents Race at Nationals Park
10 of 25Basically, the Presidents Race is the Washington Nationals’ take on the Sausage Race in Milwaukee, only with the presidents on Mt. Rushmore.
The race is humorous and is noted for Teddy Roosevelt’s inability to win a race, often in silly and disastrous ways. However, Teddy did manage to beat the Bird, the Orioles mascot, after the Bird tripped Teddy to keep him from winning a race.
#15: Freddy at Yankee Stadium
11 of 25Freddy was a mainstay at Yankee Stadium. Yankee fans knew him as the old man who had the pot that was banged with the spoon for good luck, along with his trademark, “Freddy says” sign.
He attended nearly every game, and was a fan favorite among the Yankee faithful. Sadly, he passed away just during the Yankees last playoff run.
#14: YMCA at Yankee Stadium
12 of 25Every time the sixth inning ends during a Yankee home game, the grounds crew goes on the field to tidy up and lead the crowd with a YMCA dance.
It is a staple of the Yankee Stadium experience, and every Yankee fan has done it at least once during his or her lifetime.
#13: Pre-Game Races at Cleveland Stadium
13 of 25Ballparks used to have all kinds of crazy promotions in the old days, including foot races before games. The Indians kept the tradition after the war because it helped attendance.
Most times the race would consist of two fast players, but once the Indians managed to get legendary runner Jesse Owens to race Cleveland Indians speedster George Case.
The race is featured in this video at the 2:45 mark. You can also see some of the other crazy traditions from the old days.
#12: Fog Horn at the Stick and AT&T Park
14 of 25Whenever a Giant hits a home run during a home game, the foghorn at their home stadium, whether it be Candlestick Park or AT&T Park, sounds. Giant fans love the foghorn, and consider it one of the staples of Giant baseball.
The foghorn also sounds whenever the Giants win a home game, and with a team loaded with talent, the horn will sound a lot this year.
#11: Rally Monkey at Angel Stadium
15 of 25Whenever the Angels get in a jam, they unleash the Rally Monkey.
The Monkey originated when Spike, the monkey from Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, appeared on the screen with the words, Rally Monkey, when the Angels were losing in the bottom of the ninth.
The Angels rallied to win the game and would prominently showcase the monkey during their 2002 World Series run.
#10: Home Run Apple at Shea
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When a Met hits a home run at a home game, an Apple pops out of a giant hat over the outfield wall. The Home Run Apple originated at Shea, and was such a success; it was brought to Citi Field for display.
There is a new Apple in Citi Field that works much faster, and is superior to the original.
#9: OK Blue Jays During Blue Jays Home Games
17 of 25The Blue Jays play their theme song during home games, and it was originally played in lieu of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
Eventually, they would play both, but true Jays fans prefer their “OK Blue Jays” to any other baseball song.
#8: Tomahawk Chop at Turner Field
18 of 25Thanks to Deion Sanders, this FSU chant made its way to Atlanta and fit in well with the Braves’ run of dominance through the 1990s.
Every Braves fan has done the chant at some point during their lifetime and is a staple of Atlanta baseball.
#7: Bernies Slide at Miller Park
19 of 25Every time the Brewers hit a home run at Miller Park, Bernie Brewer, their mascot, slides down a long slide and into the Splash Zone. In the old days, he would slide into a beer mug, but times change.
It’s cool to see Bernie go down the slide, and when he hits the Splash Zone, water is sprayed into the air creating an amazing effect. It can even cool down fans on a hot day.
#6: Roll Call at Yankee Stadium
20 of 25The birth child of the Bleacher Creatures, Yankee fans chant the name of each player in the field for the Yankees at the beginning of every game until the player acknowledges the crowd.
Some players embrace it, some players could do without it, but this seems like a tradition that will not end anytime soon.
#5: Sweet Caroline at Fenway Park
21 of 25A great song that the Red Sox play at every home game before the bottom of the eighth. Everyone joins in and sings along with Neil Diamond, who even sings the song personally at some games.
#4: 1918 Chant at Yankee Stadium
22 of 25The worst part of the Red Sox breaking the Curse of the Bambino was the loss of Yankee fans being able to chant “1918” whenever they played the Red Sox.
It was a great way to get under Boston’s skin, while affirming the Yankees’ dominance in an 86-year stretch of the greatest rivalry in sports.
#3: Sausage Race at Miller Park
23 of 25Always an amusing spectacle, the Sausage Race at Miller Park is shown at every home game, which consists of a humorous race around the field.
There are five participants in each race, consisting of a bratwurst, Polish sausage, Italian sausage, hot dog and Chorizo. There may be a different winner every race, but the winner is always tasty…
#2: New York, New York at Yankee Stadium
24 of 25No team is more synonymous with New York than the Yankees, so playing the famous Frank Sinatra song is a great way to cap off a Yankee game.
#1: Take Me out to the Ball Game at Wrigley
25 of 25This is the one tradition every ballpark in baseball has.
However, no stadium does it better than at Wrigley Field, where a celebrity to follow in legendary announcer Harry Caray’s tradition by leading Cubs fans in singing baseball’s most famous song.
This video features Harry Caray at his best.
