The Hanshin Tigers' Championship Celebration

In 1985, the Hanshin Tigers celebrated their victory in the Japan Championship Series, triggering a wild revelry among their fans. This exuberance challenged common perceptions of Japanese cultural restraint, as fans engaged in boisterous, drunken celebrations, even jumping off the Ebisu Bashi bridge into the polluted Dotonbori River. They yelled the names of players, diving in when their favorites were called, creating a spontaneous and ritualistic atmosphere. However, this exuberance led to unforeseen consequences when the name of American player Randy Bass was called, revealing the peculiar demands of their celebratory tradition.