MJ Melendez channeled Eric Hosmer after hitting game-winning homer for Royals
When MJ Melendez stepped to the plate at Comerica Park on Sunday, the Royals’ win probability was just 7.3%.
After Melendez hit the first pitch he saw from Tigers pitcher Shelby Miller over the right-field wall, that win percentage increased to 81.4%, per MLB.com. Melendez clubbed a three-run homer that turned a two-run deficit into a 3-2 victory.
Melendez celebrated with a bat flip and then pulled out former Royals star Eric Hosmer’s Backpack jubilation move after rounding the bases.
“I did a little bat flip, but nothing too crazy,” Melendez told Bally Sports Kansas City’s Joel Goldberg in an on-field interview. “When I got home, it was very subtle: I did a little backpack. I was watching Hoz’s podcast, and I saw he was talking about his backpack thing. So I did that a little bit after I crossed home plate, and then just obviously guys were excited coming to dugout.”
You can see the backpack celebration in these videos.
Here is a clip of Hosmer’s celebration when he was with the Royals.
After Sunday’s game, Melendez and Hosmer exchanged messages on the social media platform X.
This story was originally published August 5, 2024 at 8:49 AM.
