After earning the win in Wednesday’s 6-4 come-from-behind victory over the Texas Rangers, Red Sox reliever Brennan Bernardino walked into the clubhouse to find a prize in his locker: A large pair of golden testicles on a chain.
The pendant, which looks like the ‘Austin Powers in Goldmember’ version of what some drivers attach to their vehicle’s rear bumper or trailer hitch, is the team’s new Pitcher of the Game award.
“This is the new pitcher’s belt. Pitcher of the Game gets the golden … yeah,” Bernardino told the Herald with a chuckle. “It’s an honor to have it for the day.”
Veteran reliever Liam Hendriks and rookie infielder Kristian Campbell credited Alex Bregman and Walker Buehler with introducing the concept for the award, and the accompanying Player of the Game for position players. As for the prize itself, Hendriks said he thought Buehler picked it out. Right-hander Lucas Giolito told the Herald it was “definitely” Buehler, before amending that he was “95% sure.” (Buehler laughed, but declined to comment.)
The practice isn’t uncommon in MLB clubhouses, and several Red Sox players said they find it beneficial, both individually and collectively.
“I think every team that I’ve been on that had some sort of success generally had some sort of talisman to reward good games,” said Hendriks. “I tried implementing it last year, but the belt didn’t quite stick because we didn’t strike out enough. This year (they) came in and was like, ‘Look, we need something like, Hero of the Game.’ just kind of team-building, camaraderie sort of stuff.”
“I think it’s good, you know, we talk about it as a team,” agreed Campbell. “Obviously, you let the guy know that he had a really good game, and just after the game, coming together as a team for a minute to talk about how everybody did, it’s a good way to bond.”
“I’ve been on teams where there’s a similar thing, you shout out a Player of the Game and might have a little trinket or something,” said Giolito. “I think it’s just a fun way to keep everyone engaged.”
