MLB trying to put champagne celebrations with fans on ice
Manager Terry Collins of the New York Mets celebrates on field after defeating the Chicago Cubs in Game 4 of the 2015 MLB National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on Oct. 21, 2015 in Chicago. Credit: Getty Images / Elsa
It has become part of the post-clincher routine in Major League Baseball for players to return to the field during their clubhouse celebration to share the fun with fans -- even on the road.
That often includes spraying said fans with champagne, giving them a true flavor -- literally -- of the clubhouse.
But MLB has become concerned that such interaction is getting out of control and poses potential danger for fans, especially young ones, who might get caught in the spray.
So after the Mets clinched the NLCS in Game 4 on Wednesday night, officials stopped several players at the door of the tiny, ancient visitors' clubhouse at Wrigley Field and asked them not to go onto the field carrying champagne bottles.
Some were annoyed, especially pitcher Jon Niese.
But soon thereafter, there was manager Terry Collins himself on the field spraying jubilant Mets fans -- who seemed to love every minute of it.
It was not clear whether Collins had any idea that MLB had been trying to curtail such behavior.
But video of Collins' celebration was shared widely on social media and further cemented his popularity among the fan base.
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
