From an intensity standpoint, Cleveland Guardians slugger Josh Naylor had an excellent home run celebration on Saturday. From a self-preservation point of view, perhaps not so much.
Naylor put the Guardians ahead in the fifth inning with a two-run home run, the crux of the 6-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics. As he approached first base, Naylor picked up his bat, smacked it against the top of his helmet and slammed it into the ground.
It wasn’t Naylor’s first colorful celebration, as he also celebrated long dances with headbutting his manager It is rocking the baby.
His teammates certainly appreciate it, as does Guardians coach Stephen Vogt…to a point. In MLB. with:
“That’s Josh Naylor, man,” Guardians coach Stephen Vogt said. “He is obviously emotional and charismatic. As long as he didn’t have a concussion, I’m fine.
When asked if the crushing of the helmet hurt, Naylor replied: “in truth.”
Naylor, a former first-round pick, arrived in Cleveland via the trade that sent Mike Clevinger to the San Diego Padres in 2020. He has improved in every season since, earning MVP votes in 2023 after hitting .308/.354/. .489 with 17 home runs and 97 RBI.
Naylor is off to an even better start to the season, one of the main reasons the Guardians have the best record in baseball at 15-6. His brother Bo was also involved, including when the two took the same shift on National Siblings Day.
