St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Matt Carpenter responded to rumors circulating online about his team’s recent celebration, emphasizing that the actions were not intended as a political statement.
The team’s celebration came under scrutiny following comparisons made by an online outlet to images that surfaced after an attempt on former president Donald Trump’s life on July 13.
Footage of Alec Burleson’s home run trot and the ensuing dugout festivities seemed to show players cupping their ears with one hand while raising their opposite fists in the air. Lars Nootbaar also replicated the gesture following his own home run in the next inning.
Carpenter clarified that the celebration was simply a team joke shared with Burleson and had no political connotations.
“Burleson used to be a college rapper,” Carpenter explained. “He’s been performing well at the plate. This celebration has nothing to do with politics.”
Is this a Trump home run celebration by the Cardinals? pic.twitter.com/f2XrQr0q3u
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 21, 2024
“It’s an inside joke with Burleson,” Carpenter reiterated. “There’s no political message behind this. I’m not sure where that idea came from.”
Carpenter explained that the gestures were meant to imitate a DJ in reference to Burleson’s background in rap. Burleson, who shares the team lead in home runs, is often called “Biscuit” by his teammates due to his college rap identity.
While the celebration attracted public attention on Sunday, Carpenter mentioned that the team had been doing it since the first half of the season.
“It’s slowly catching on,” Carpenter noted. “I’m not sure who started it on the field, but it definitely started in the first half and gained momentum during this series.”
“Absolutely no political message here. I think that’s a misunderstanding,” he added.
Not only the Cardinals, but other teams also left viewers puzzled by their celebrations. Following a double at Yankee Stadium, Rays infielder Taylor Walls raised a fist and mouthed “fight, fight,” reminiscent of Trump’s gesture after the assassination attempt.
Taylor Walls did the Trump “Fight! Fight!” after this double pic.twitter.com/8K5ovTEIQh
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 21, 2024
(Photo of Lars Nootbaar: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)