George Springer gives Kike Hernandez the Monster Claw after his first MLB home run (GIF)
By Dan Zinski
Exciting things are happening with the Houston Astros and their young players. On Wednesday, Kike Hernandez played in just his second game with Houston after being called up, and belted his first major league homer (this a day after going 2-2 in his first ever MLB game).
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Hernandez’s first MLB dinger came in the fifth inning off the Mariners’ Chris Young. Afterward, George Springer celebrated with Hernandez in the dugout by giving him the Monster Claw.
The Monster Claw celebration has become a thing for the Astros. It’s like the old Brewers Beast Mode celebration only weirder. It looks like you’re actually sprinkling something on the other player’s face – magic dust maybe – or trying to manipulate them like a puppet.
Springer seems to be the master of the Monster Claw in Houston. He explained the phenomenon to CSNHouston earlier this month:
"Well, we’ve got the Monster Claw, which is fun. We’ve got the Chop. It’s something to have some fun with, you know. You do something, you get the big hit, you get the Monster Claw dance.The big hit is always the Monster Claw. The high fives are always the Chop. It’s just us having fun."
If the Astros keep turning up talented young players and they keep performing, they will be having a lot more fun, and doing a lot more Monster Claws or whatever else they can dream up.
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