Keith Morrisroe has been part of the Nationals crew since 2022 but had never driven anyone. He’s one of five drivers who switch out days, waiting patiently for whoever from the bullpen might want a ride on their cart that day. “We pull up right outside the gate, and, if they hop in, we take them for a ride.”
Morrisroe was just as surprised as anyone when Twins reliever Steven Okert jumped in during Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Nationals as he came in relief for Simeon Woods Richardson. He had a plan to buy the uniform of whoever took the opportunity. “I told myself when I started, whoever my first rider was, I’m going to buy their jersey.”
Of course, he did not expect the $5 tip—or the social media frenzy—that came his way after Okert reached out with the bill. “He hopped out, and, you know, he was the motion of handing me something. I was not expecting a tip and the dugout right there was laughing pretty good. I was kind of shocked, and, you know, I thought it was a fun, good hearted moment.”
From all accounts, Okert made history with his tip. As noted by the Nationals PR, Okert has taken the bullpen cart every time during his Miami days. But this is the first time he—or any player— has ever offered a tip. According to Morrisroe, “The group chat [between the driving crew] were all pretty excited, so it seemed to be the first.”
He’s already gone ahead and framed the bill, just like a restaurant or bar receiving its first dollar.
The history of bullpen carts is a sad and lost art. Cleveland first debuted on in the 1950s, with other teams following suit. Perhaps most infamously was the M.S. Relief, a tugboat shaped one used by the Mariners for a season in the 1980s. But today, only the Nationals seem to have one in (not particularly) regular use. According to a report by the Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty, most pitchers find it might throw off their routine, or that they are not senior enough to participate in the fun.
Not Okert, who got four outs in the close game between the Twins and the Nationals. As he told The Athletic’s Dan Hayes, “I was carrying it the whole series waiting to get in. Got to use it.” In his performances at Nationals Park,
Okert has given up nine hits—including two home runs—over 42 plate appearances with 12 strikeouts and three walks. His OBP is notably lower at Nationals Park than it is at every other stadium combined. Perhaps the cart does a little wonder. Rather than tip his pitches, he is simply a pitcher who tips.
Morrisroe balances both the seriousness the pitchers might be facing in the moment with the entertainment for the fans. “We don’t speak to them most of the time. They’re in their zone.” At the same time, the gimmick provides a little extra. “We just want to be a part of the fun game day experience for, for all the fans and, and the players, and I think people got a good hearted story rom that moment, so I think, you who wouldn’t want more of those?
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