BALTIMORE — The Detroit Tigers have a new celebration for home runs.
The in-dugout celebration — created by first baseman Spencer Torkelson — is inspired by hockey and includes three props: a pair of CCM gloves from the Red Wings, a helmet from the Red Wings and a Fischer hockey stick (purchased by center fielder Riley Greene).
The Tigers put their celly — hockey slang for celebration — on display for the first time Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles when infielder Zack McKinstry homered off Kyle Gibson with one out in the seventh inning.
“So, you know how teams have home run celebrations?” Torkelson said before Friday’s game. “We’re doing hockey helmet, hockey gloves, hockey stick and a little slapshot at the end of the dugout. It’s to incentivize home runs.”
Watch the celebration here:
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After McKinstry rounded the bases on his 410-foot homer to right-center field, he was handed the helmet and stick — the gloves were nowhere to be seen — on his tour through the dugout.
“We need more people to help out with it,” Torkelson said after Saturday’s 5-1 loss when asked about the missing gloves.
Once McKinstry cleared the players, he took a mock slapshot to complete the celebration.
It was McKinstry’s second homer of the season.
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The Tigers rank 26th in MLB with 15 home runs in 19 games.
“Hopefully, we see it a lot more,” Torkelson said.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.