Los Angeles Dodgers celebrations after wins at Dodger Stadium over recent seasons have included a disco ball, strobe lights, fog machine and turntables to accompany music playing on speakers inside the clubhouse.
After David Peralta delivered a walk-off in against the Chicago Cubs, a fan-favorite returned: bubble machine. What was dispensing them could not immediately be spotted, but bubbles floated through the air as media was allowed access to the clubhouse for postgame interviews Saturday night.
The Dodgers bubble machine made its debut during the 2014 season, which was the team’s second of year of what would ultimately become eight consecutive National League West titles.
Whenever a player would a hit home run, he was greeted in the dugout by teammates and bubbles. Dodgers fans immediately took to the celebration, but MLB wasn’t as welcoming.
By August of that season, MLB executive vice president Joe Torre advised the Dodgers they were no longer permitted to use the bubble machine. L.A. initially complied but soon after resumed incorporating bubbles into their celebration.
It’s not immediately clear who may have been the driving force behind the Dodgers bringing a bubble machine back, or if it will again be brought into the dugout. Only Clayton Kershaw and Miguel Rojas remain from the 2014 Dodgers roster.
MLB has become more lax on what type of celebrations are permitted in the dugout, which could work in the Dodgers’ favor. One prime example is the Baltimore Orioles unveiling a “Homer Hose” this past week that resembles an object most often associated with a drinking game.
Justin Turner suggested to bring back Dodgers bubble machine
When MLB implemented a wide range of health and safety protocols in their quest to play a 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it required several adjustments from players, coaches and team personnel.
One challenge arose when the Dodgers had a walk-off win that couldn’t include the usual raucous celebration. Justin Turner suggested at that point perhaps it was time for the Dodgers bubbles to return, though it never came to be.
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