Josh Naylor's home run celebration, explained

Oct 01, 2023

Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Josh Naylor (22) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the New York Yankees in the fourth inning during game four of the ALDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Josh Naylor had an interesting celebration when he hit a solo home run off New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole in Game 4 of the ALDS.

The Cleveland Guardians had the chance to close out their AL Division Series against the New York Yankees with a Game 4 victory on Sunday. The Yankees did take a 3-0 lead early on in the game, but Cleveland did catch up to them later on in the game.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Guardians designated hitter Josh Naylor took a pitch from Yankees ace Gerrit Cole and sent it over the center field wall for a solo home run. Cleveland's deficit was cut to 3-2 in the process. But everyone is talking about Naylor's celebration.

As Naylor rounded the bases, he "rocked the baby" in front of Cole, and appeared to say to the Guardians dugout "he's my little f**king son."

Josh Naylor rocked the baby his whole home run trot 😂

(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/BSnVLn2el9

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 17, 2022

For those wondering the meaning behind Naylor's "rock the baby" celebration, there really is not much behind it.

Mandy Bell, MLB.com's Guardians beat reporter, asked pitcher Triston McKenzie about the celebration earlier in October. McKenzie responded by saying "when he hits homers off people, he calls them his son."

Triston McKenzie talked about Josh Naylor's rocking the baby celebration earlier this month: "Nayls, when he hits homers off people, he calls them his son. Hence the rocking the baby as he runs around the bases."

— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) October 17, 2022

There you have it. There's the explanation.

Naylor has shown in the past that he gets pumped up when he hits home runs. Look no further than when he played the Chicago White Sox back on May 9.

The Guardians are looking to make the ALCS for the first time since 2016. If they do not win in Game 4, they will have to return to the Bronx to face the Yankees in a win-or-go-home Game 5.