Mlb Dugout Drinking Culture: Beer And Beyond

Drinking alcohol during a baseball game is prohibited under MLB rules, but that hasn't stopped players from drinking beer in the dugout or clubhouse during games. While it may be surprising to some, drinking in the dugout is not a new phenomenon, stretching back to the days of Babe Ruth, who was known to enjoy a beer or two during Prohibition. In recent years, players like Jason Giambi and Roger Clemens have been known to routinely drink beer in the dugout, and it's been reported that Mets players would pour beer into Gatorade cups and bring it back to the dugout. With a long history of alcohol use in the sport, it's clear that MLB players have found ways to bend the rules when it comes to enjoying a drink during the game.

MLB players drinking beer in the dugout is nothing new

It is no secret that drinking alcohol during a baseball game is prohibited under MLB rules. However, it is also no secret that players have been known to bend the rules and drink during games. While it may be frowned upon, the practice is not exactly novel, with players throughout baseball's long history finding creative ways to get their drinks in.

One of the most famous examples of this rule-bending behaviour is attributed to none other than Babe Ruth. During Prohibition, Ruth was known to enjoy a few beers, and his drinking became so notorious that opposing teams attempted to use it against him. One legendary story tells of the Chicago White Sox taking Ruth out the night before a game, hoping to render him too drunk to play the next day. However, Ruth's tolerance proved too high, and he not only showed up but also dominated on the field, reportedly asking the White Sox where they planned to go out that night after the game.

More recent examples of players bending the rules include pitchers John Lackey, Josh Beckett, and Jon Lester, who were accused of drinking on nights they weren't pitching. Lester eventually admitted to having "occasional" beers in the clubhouse, referring to them as "ninth-inning rally beers." This practice of drinking "rally beers" during long or challenging games is reportedly more common in baseball than one might expect. Veteran player and Atlanta Brave catcher A.J. Pierzynski has also admitted to partaking in a rally beer or two during his career.

Additionally, several unnamed sources have revealed that drinking in the dugout is not a rare occurrence. According to these insiders, players Jason Giambi and Roger Clemens routinely drank beer in the dugout during games while playing for the Yankees. Similar accounts describe Mets players pouring beer into Gatorade cups and returning to the dugout, highlighting the lengths players will go to in order to enjoy a drink during a game.

While MLB rules prohibit alcohol consumption during games, it is clear that players have found creative ways to bend these rules throughout the league's history. From the legendary Babe Ruth to modern-day players, the tradition of drinking beer in the dugout or during games persists, suggesting that this practice, while perhaps frowned upon, is an accepted part of baseball culture.

Beer in the clubhouse is a long-standing tradition

Drinking alcohol during a baseball game is prohibited under MLB rules. However, this hasn't stopped players from drinking beer during games, and it has been described by a baseball insider as "nothing new". The tradition of drinking in the dugout stretches back to Babe Ruth, who was known to knock back a few beers during Prohibition. Ruth was such a prolific drinker that opposing teams tried to take advantage of this by getting him drunk the night before a game, although his high tolerance meant this tactic rarely worked.

The practice of drinking during games came under scrutiny in 2011 when the Red Sox were blamed for blowing the end of their season, with pitchers John Lackey, Josh Beckett, and Jon Lester accused of drinking on nights they weren't pitching. Lester eventually admitted that players would occasionally have a "ninth-inning rally beer". This practice is more common than one might think, with veteran player A.J. Pierzynski also admitting to partaking in a "rally beer" or two.

Drinking during games is not limited to the Red Sox, as players from the Yankees and Mets have also been known to drink in the dugout or clubhouse. Jason Giambi and Roger Clemens, for example, were reported to have routinely drunk beer in the dugout during games, with Giambi referring to his beer as a "protein shake".

While drinking during games is not officially condoned, it is a tradition that has persisted in MLB, with players finding creative ways to conceal their alcohol consumption, such as pouring beer into Gatorade cups.

Players drinking during games

Drinking alcohol during a baseball game is prohibited under MLB rules. However, players have been known to drink beer during games, and it has been described by a baseball insider as "nothing new". This practice has a long history in the sport, stretching back to Babe Ruth, who was known to drink beer during Prohibition. Ruth was a prodigious drinker, and opposing teams even tried to take advantage of this by getting him drunk before a game, but his high tolerance meant he was undeterred and played exceptionally well.

More recent examples include pitchers John Lackey, Josh Beckett, and Jon Lester, who were accused of drinking on nights they weren't pitching. Lester admitted to having "occasional" beers in the clubhouse, calling them "ninth-inning rally beers". The "rally beer" is a more common practice than many realise, with veteran player and Atlanta Brave catcher A.J. Pierzynski also partaking. Pierzynski attributed this to game fatigue, where a beer can help players power through a long game.

Some players have been more discreet about their drinking, such as Jason Giambi and Roger Clemens, who reportedly drank beer in the Yankees dugout, passing it off as a "protein shake". Mets players have also been known to pour beer into Gatorade cups and return to the dugout. While drinking during games is not a new phenomenon, it gained attention in 2011 when the Red Sox's season ended prematurely, and some speculated that recreational drinking was a factor.

One of the most notable stories of drinking during games involves Jose Canseco, who drank a can of light beer, hit a home run, and repeated this feat twice more. While alcohol consumption during games is not permitted, it has been a part of baseball culture for many years, with players finding creative ways to indulge.

The rally beer

It's the bottom of the 9th, your team is down by two, and the pitcher is throwing flames. What do you reach for? If you're an MLB player, the answer may be a rally beer.

The "rally beer" is a tradition in baseball where players will drink a beer to get through the final innings of a long game. While drinking alcohol during a game is prohibited by MLB rules, it has been described by insiders as a common practice that stretches back to the days of Babe Ruth.

One story involving the rally beer comes from veteran player and Atlanta Brave catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who admitted to occasionally partaking in a rally beer or two. Pierzynski attributed this practice to game fatigue, where players might be jealous of their teammates who are several beers in and more relaxed during a tense, drawn-out game.

Another story involves Jason Giambi and Roger Clemens, who reportedly would "routinely" drink beer in the dugout during games while playing for the Yankees. They would pass the beer back and forth, with Giambi referring to it as his "protein shake".

So, the next time you're at an MLB game and see a player with a cup in their hand, you might wonder if they're enjoying a rally beer. But remember, it's not just the players who might need a drink to get through a long game—for some fans, a beer (or two, or three) might be just what's needed to cheer on their team!

Hiding beer in Gatorade cups

MLB rules clearly prohibit drinking alcohol during a baseball game. However, this hasn't stopped players from drinking beer during games, and drinking in the dugout has been described by a baseball insider as "nothing new".

One way that players have found to get around this rule is by pouring beer into Gatorade cups. This method has been reportedly used by Mets players, who would "go into the clubhouse, pour beer into Gatorade cups, and return to the dugout". This tactic is likely used to disguise the beer as a regular sports drink, making it less noticeable to those in the stadium and potentially avoiding scrutiny from officials.

The practice of drinking beer during games is not limited to the Mets, as players from other teams such as the Red Sox and Yankees have also been accused of drinking on nights they weren't pitching. Additionally, some players have admitted to drinking "rally beers" or "ninth-inning rally beers" during games, indicating that drinking during games is more common than one might expect.

While it is prohibited, drinking during MLB games has a long history, with stories dating back to Babe Ruth, who was known to drink during Prohibition. Despite the rules, players have found creative ways, like using Gatorade cups, to continue the tradition of drinking during games.

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