Junior Caminero's 39-Second Home Run Trot Ignites MLB Celebration Debate

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 20

Junior Caminero's nearly 39-second trot after a seventh-inning, two-run homer in ALCS Game 6 became a flashpoint over how far postseason celebrations should go.
The 23-year-old Rays infielder hit the foul pole shot off Cleveland reliever Cade Smith with Tampa Bay already leading 3-1, pushing his team closer to the World Series.
Statcast data cited by MLB.com said the trot was the second-slowest tracked in the era, helping the clip spread widely on social media and draw sharply split reactions.
Critics called the display classless and against baseball's unwritten rules, while supporters argued emotional celebrations help modernize the sport and showcase player personality.
Cade Smith struck a measured tone after the game, saying the celebration was not his style but adding that if he did not like it, he should not give up home runs.