'Tarps Off' Trend Sweeps MLB Ballparks

A trend of shirtless fans twirling their shirts above their heads has spread across Major League Baseball stadiums since its origin in St. Louis on June 14, 2024.

Origin

The trend began at a St. Louis Cardinals game on Friday, June 14. A group of 17 players from a club baseball team affiliated with Stephen F. Austin State University, attending the National Club Baseball Division II World Series in Alton, Illinois, started the chant. Dozens of other fans joined, and the Cardinals defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-4 in 11 innings.

Spread

The trend has been observed at games in:

• St. Louis (Cardinals vs. Pirates, June 18)
• Tampa Bay (Rays, June 17 and 18)
• Detroit (Tigers)
• Philadelphia (Phillies vs. Reds in rain)
• Seattle (Mariners)
• Anaheim (Angels, with chants for owner Arte Moreno to sell the team)

Statements

"It's hard not to have fun when the fans are like that. We've got the best fans in the world, but it seems like the younger generation makes it more like a college atmosphere."
— Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn

"Cause everyone else was taking it off. Why not? It's fresh. It's a beautiful night. Take it off. Great Northwest night. We live for the summers. We live for the good weather."
— Mariners fan Chad Bitzer

MLB Attendance

MLB attendance is up approximately 1,000 fans per game compared to the same period last year. If the trend continues, average attendance could reach 30,000 per game for the first time since 2016.