Why do hitters remove their hats just before touching home plate after a walk-off home run?

Question

I've been watching baseball for over two decades now, but I've only recently noticed this phenomenon. When did this start and with who? Why do they do it? What's the significance?

Answer 1

Tradition Im guessing..Im not really sure

Answer 2

A lot of time photographers will take a picture of a runner scoring.  this way he can maximize face time in the press or other media.

Answer 3

Tradition, plus when you earn millions of dollars you think you can do anything.

Answer 4

To let their team mates tussle their hair.

Glad they don't smack them on butt or they'd be stripping around 3rd base.  LOL

Answer 5

Because it hurts like heII when you get patted on the head with a helmet.  Guys seem to think its okay to wail on you if you have headgear on. If you take it off, they will respect your head more.

Answer 6

I think David Ortiz of the Red Sox started it a few years ago. (it might have been during the 2004 playoff series against the Yankees when they came back from a 3-0 deficit). He did the "helmet flip" as he was coming down the 3rd base line. It didn't look like something that was pre-planned, it was just a gesture to celebrate his walk-off home run.  The only significance is a victory celebration.

Answer 7

So they don't get pounded as much.  Back in the earlier years, they congratulated you by shaking your hand or giving you a hug when you hit a walk-off shot.  Now when you hit home plate, your teammates congratulate you alot more aggressively.  If you have a helmet on, they hit your helmet as hard as they can, so by taking your helmet off, you give them less to hit.  I know it sounds stupid, but it's true.

Answer 8

well when da team is around homeplate they r gonna be jumping nd **** so hitting a helmet with ur hand i think is not a good idea so they take it off nd also u feel the cool air haha

Answer 9

I think this is something Sammy Sosa started with all of the gesticulating after he touched the plate. What a bunch of nonsense. In the old days a player would put his head down and run around the bases because he knew that if he showed up the pitcher, the next time up he'd end up on his back.