Teddy’s Top 10 In-Game Traditions of Major League Baseball Teams

“One of the things that makes Major League Baseball so special is that every one of our 30 clubs and ballparks is unique. No two look the same or have the same dimensions, and each club provides an unparalleled experience. The clubs are also constantly innovating, creating new fan-favorite elements from food to lounges to playgrounds and entertainment around the clock. With Opening Day and a new season on deck, hope springs eternal and I can't wait to see these experiences come back to life across North America,” says Mark Plutzer , Senior Vice President of Ticketing at  Major League Baseball  (MLB). And I agree with him! Opening Day in Major League Baseball is here this week, every team is in first place and hope, indeed, springs eternal for each team and its fans. And, wow, do we need some hope right now! Hope … and fun … and maybe some good, old-fashioned traditions. When I think of baseball, I often think first and foremost about the traditions of the sport. The ceremonial first pitch, the home team taking the field, the umpire calling out “Play ball!” And then I think about all of the stadiums I have been privileged to visit in my life and how almost every team has its own specific traditions they celebrate every game. So, in the interest of hope and fun and traditions, I present to you the following Top 10 list of MLB Team Traditions: 1. An All-Time Tradition For No. 1, you can’t beat the classic seventh inning stretch at each Wrigley Field home game of the Chicago Cubs. Janeen Woelfer, Senior Manager, Business Development for Tickets.com, remarks, “H aving lived in Chicago and attended many Cubs games before moving to Indiana, my favorite is indeed the seventh inning stretch and ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame.’ It originated with Harry Caray. And, after his passing [in 1998], it has been done by special guests attending the game. It’s an All-American song for an All-American pastime!” These guests have ranged from  Hollywood celebs like  Bill Murray and Melissa McCarthy to recording stars Eddie Vedder and the late Ozzy Osbourne to a bevy of Chicago sports legends like Mike Ditka and Ryne Sandberg. Even the Cookie Monster once took the mic ! Bill Murray sings the seventh inning stretch at a Chicago Cubs game. Photo credit to MLB.com. 2. A Presidential Race … for Real Each home game, the Washington Nationals feature the GEICO Presidents Race . Emily Opalach, Senior Manager, Ticket Operations for the Nationals, touts, “ During the middle of the fourth inning, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt [costumed performers wearing oversized heads] race from center field and finish on the warning track in front of the first base dugout.” GEICO Presidents Race at a Washington Nationals Game. Photo credit to NBC Sports. 3. Patriot Games Several teams find a way or ways each home game to honor the brave men and women who serve in the U.S. military. One is the Minnesota Twins. Mike Stiles, Senior Director, Ticket Operations/Technology for the Twins, notes, “Before each game, we have a member of the military — either a veteran or [an active duty member] — raise the U.S. flag prior to the National Anthem. We started this in 2010 when Target Field opened.” Not to be outdone are the Nationals. Opalach says, “ We do a Salute to Service at the end of the third inning where select military groups and their families are recognized on the NatsHD scoreboard” and fans stand and wave their caps. 4. Opposing Relief Pitchers Have to Be Brave in Atlanta It may not happen every game, but there is one tradition in Atlanta that is always a sight to see when it does. Anthony Esposito, Senior Vice President of Ticket Operations for the Atlanta Braves, says, “When the visiting team makes a pitching change, all of our main lights in the ballpark go out and guests turn their phone flashlights on while the drum beat to ‘The Tomahawk Chop’ plays in the background.  This has become a tradition for us and has been quoted by visiting team players as an overwhelming ‘home field advantage.’ Of course, once the incoming pitcher reaches the pitching mound, then the lights come back on so that he can begin throwing his warmup pitches.” Lights out for opposing pitchers at an Atlanta Braves game. Photo credit to MLB.com. 5. A Little Denver in Baltimore My favorite team is the Baltimore Orioles. I grew up an O’s fan,rooting for Cal Ripken Jr., Eddie Murray and Jim Palmer and still root today for the likes of Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman.  When I am back in Baltimore watching a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, I am on the edge of my seat waiting to sing the late John Denver’s “Thank God, I’m a Country Boy” during the seventh inning stretch, a stadium tradition that reaches back to the old days of Memorial Stadium. I also love when the fans shout “O!” during the “ Oh say does that Star-Spangled Banner…” line of the National Anthem. 6. A San Francisco Treat … But Only When the Giants Win The San Francisco Giants have a great tradition in that they play Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” at the end of each game the home team wins. Margo Malone , the Giants’ Senior Manager, Special Projects and Season Ticket Memberships , says, “This anthem to San Francisco blares over the loud speakers while a video montage of the city’s landmarks is shown on the big screen. The song evokes feelings of a bygone era, along with the team’s rich history since moving West in 1958. ‘I Left My Heart In San Francisco’ was used periodically during the Candlestick Park years. But once the Giants moved into the new ballpark in 2000, the tradition began of playing the song after every win. Tony Bennett was a great Giants fan, too, and even celebrated his 90 th  birthday at a game in 2016 .” 7. Chicago’s Other Team Sure Knows How to Make an Entrance Mike Mazza, Senior Director of Ticket Operations for the Chicago White Sox, states, “The White Sox tradition is our ‘ pinwheels ’ on the main scoreboard with the fireworks that go off when the team goes out onto the field before the start of the game.” The late Bill Veeck started this tradition when he owned the team. 8. The Mariners’ Salmon Run Some of the most fun MLB home game traditions are actually quite new ones. Take the Seattle Mariners’ Salmon Run. During home games at T-Mobile Park, this race is staged on the video board featuring the endearing fish character of Humpy. Bob Brunner, Director of Ticket & Event Services for the team, says, “The Mariners introduced the Salmon Run in 2024. The beloved Humpy hadn’t won a race until Game 5 of the ALDS last year that was immediately followed by walk-off single by Jorge Polanco, sending the Mariners to the ALCS for the first time since 2001!” Salmon run at a Seattle Mariners game. Photo credit to MLB.com. 9. Great Canadian Singers Celine Dion, Michael Bublé … and Blue Jays Fans Christina Dodge, Manager of Concert & Event Ticketing for the Toronto Blue Jays, states, “The Blue Jays’ in-game traditions include a dance and sing-along to ’ OK Blue Jays ’ and ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ during the seventh inning stretch. In May 2024, during an extra-inning game, our fans also embraced a sing-along to ‘Hey Baby,’ which has since become an in-game staple mid-eighth inning!” 10. Another All-Time Tradition   I began this column with an all-time tradition. It’s only fitting that I end it with another one. There is no more traditional and historic team than the New York Yankees. And at Yankee Stadium in the first inning of each home game, the “Bleacher Creatures” perform a roll call, chanting each player’s name until he acknowledges them. As with the coolest traditions, I don’t know how it started, and I don’t want to know. Honorable Mention Boston Red Sox fans singing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” in the middle of each eighth inning; Detroit Tigers fans singing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’;” Los Angeles Dodgers fans singing “I Love L.A.” after each home win; the Milwaukee Brewers’ “Sausage Race;” and, finally, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ “Pierogi Race.” To Conclude As we settle in for another season, these traditions — old, new, quirky, heartfelt, loud, proud and everything in between — remind us why baseball endures. They connect generations, bind communities and give every ballpark its own heartbeat. Opening Day may come just once a year, but the traditions we celebrate carry us through all 162 games and beyond. You May Also Like Anchors That Help Ticketing Professionals Stay Steady Spektrix-INTIX Survey Shows How Much Work Is Needed to Improve the Industry’s Workforce Want news like this delivered to your inbox weekly? Subscribe to the Access Weekly newsletter , your ticket to industry excellence.