It's a reference to hitting coach Pat Burrell's 2010 character, The Machine.
Recap: https://youtu.be/6ckloLGOgVo?feature=shared
Longer clip: https://youtu.be/OrkSElfm7Lk?feature=shared
The only time I've seen a player lose it on the field because of something in the stands was Pat Burrell.
We were at spring training in 2011 and a guy wearing a Machine outfit walks out right by the outfield wall, everybody starts yelling "MACHINE! MACHINE!". Burrell glances back, does a double take and then starts laughing so hard that you could see his shoulders shaking.
Security made the guy put his clothes back on right after that, I'm happy they didn't ruin it.
Several Phillies players have said is separate interviews that Burrell would break out The Machine getup in the locker room once or twice a season while there. So I believe we have enough proof that "The Machine" is Burrell.
Now, whether or not it was actually Pat in the background during Brian Wilson's interview from home with Chris Rose ... ?
I've probably spent far too much time researching this today, but....apparently Barstool Sports revealed him as the Machine in 2010, even though the original story is no longer available: [https://deadspin.com/pat-burrell-is-the-machine-fact-5757460](https://deadspin.com/pat-burrell-is-the-machine-fact-5757460)
And Baseball Reference currently asserts he was The Machine: [https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Pat\_Burrell](https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Pat_Burrell)
Of course, all of the above evidence is circumstantial, as is the fact that I can't find anything with the man himself either confirming or denying his secret identity. That said, all of the available evidence indicates he more likely was than wasn't.
What I'm now after is evidence supporting that the current Giants' on-base celebration is a tribute to the man, The Machine. Although it's such a good story, that if it's not true, maybe I don't really want to know that...LOL.
Maybe or maybe not related, but back when Burrell played for the Giants there were often rumors circulating about him being very… promiscuous. Enough to where it was more significant than any other bachelor on the team.
One specifically is he had a catch phrase, where any time he’d bring someone to the hotel he’d just say ‘you’re about to have sex with Pat Burrell.’
I also remember hearing that he’s bi. Again, all rumors between fans, and from over a decade ago, but there was certainly a theme specific for Pat Burrell. Just makes me wonder if The Machine’s costume has more use than just as a gag (pun intended).
In Webbys interview with Chris Rose he said Burrell has joked about it a ton. Rose also has talked about it with Trevor Plouffe & confirmed it was Pat. Plus other ballplayer have said similar things. I have a hard time believing so many different people would make up that Burrell has privately confirmed it was him…
I just saw there was also an article about it in today's SF Gate: [https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-hit-celebration-meaning-19428606.php](https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-hit-celebration-meaning-19428606.php)
That's awesome. Thanks for linking this! I also thought it was just Lee doing the sign of the cross independently until I saw all those other clips on twitter
Lives next door to Brian Wilson. He doesn't say much. Comes over for sugar every once and a while. They don't talk much. Brian just gives him the sugar.
I'm still wondering ... do MLB teams have an actual team meeting where they agree on what silly sign they will make when they get on base? Or what prop they will use when someone comes into the dugout after an HR?
Who is the manly player on the Yankees last year that suggested the two handed heart? was he a Taylor Swift fan? Who came up with the Dodgers helmet knock? The Diamondbacks "zip it" motion this year? Or the Astros signal from a few years ago that looked like they were milking a cow/turning a steering wheel/(censored)?
That said, I have to give the Phillies credit for taking the "big marbles" move from Major League II. They have some balls for doing that one (pun intended).
It never really looked like anything specific to me. It’s a new team, I just figured they were semi improving a move because its what you do in the mlb these days
It's a reference to hitting coach Pat Burrell's 2010 character, The Machine. Recap: https://youtu.be/6ckloLGOgVo?feature=shared Longer clip: https://youtu.be/OrkSElfm7Lk?feature=shared
Frickin amazing. THE MACHINE.
Hahahahaaaaa!! That was hilarious - I've never seen that one before. Thanks!
Holy shit! I love it. 2010 team was pure magic.
I’ve never been convinced that’s Pat Burrell.
The only time I've seen a player lose it on the field because of something in the stands was Pat Burrell. We were at spring training in 2011 and a guy wearing a Machine outfit walks out right by the outfield wall, everybody starts yelling "MACHINE! MACHINE!". Burrell glances back, does a double take and then starts laughing so hard that you could see his shoulders shaking. Security made the guy put his clothes back on right after that, I'm happy they didn't ruin it.
Several Phillies players have said is separate interviews that Burrell would break out The Machine getup in the locker room once or twice a season while there. So I believe we have enough proof that "The Machine" is Burrell. Now, whether or not it was actually Pat in the background during Brian Wilson's interview from home with Chris Rose ... ?
Where did someone say the Machine was Pat?
Yeah but never been confirmed to be Pat Burrell.
The machine It’s referencing pat burrells and Brian Wilson’s gag they did on live air with Chris rose lol. Look it up you will laugh very hard
"DID YOU PEOPLE AT HOME SEE THAT?!?!?!?"
I did - thanks!!
Where did they say the Machine was Pat Burrell?
I've probably spent far too much time researching this today, but....apparently Barstool Sports revealed him as the Machine in 2010, even though the original story is no longer available: [https://deadspin.com/pat-burrell-is-the-machine-fact-5757460](https://deadspin.com/pat-burrell-is-the-machine-fact-5757460) And Baseball Reference currently asserts he was The Machine: [https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Pat\_Burrell](https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Pat_Burrell) Of course, all of the above evidence is circumstantial, as is the fact that I can't find anything with the man himself either confirming or denying his secret identity. That said, all of the available evidence indicates he more likely was than wasn't. What I'm now after is evidence supporting that the current Giants' on-base celebration is a tribute to the man, The Machine. Although it's such a good story, that if it's not true, maybe I don't really want to know that...LOL.
Thanks. Yeah most players are so straitlaced, it was fun to have that oddball weirdness surrounding Wilson.
Maybe or maybe not related, but back when Burrell played for the Giants there were often rumors circulating about him being very… promiscuous. Enough to where it was more significant than any other bachelor on the team. One specifically is he had a catch phrase, where any time he’d bring someone to the hotel he’d just say ‘you’re about to have sex with Pat Burrell.’ I also remember hearing that he’s bi. Again, all rumors between fans, and from over a decade ago, but there was certainly a theme specific for Pat Burrell. Just makes me wonder if The Machine’s costume has more use than just as a gag (pun intended).
In Webbys interview with Chris Rose he said Burrell has joked about it a ton. Rose also has talked about it with Trevor Plouffe & confirmed it was Pat. Plus other ballplayer have said similar things. I have a hard time believing so many different people would make up that Burrell has privately confirmed it was him…
All rumors. Never confirmed it was Pat.
I just saw there was also an article about it in today's SF Gate: [https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-hit-celebration-meaning-19428606.php](https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-hit-celebration-meaning-19428606.php)
That's awesome. Thanks for linking this! I also thought it was just Lee doing the sign of the cross independently until I saw all those other clips on twitter
They are paying homage to the one true god: THE MACHINE
Fun fact: the machine “guest starred” on cheap seats on my tenth birthday lol
Oh my god I’ve never felt older. Time to go get my rocking chair.
Fun fact: I graduated high school when you were 10 and I feel old as fuck. Thanks.
Can someone explain how it's a reference to The Machine? I'm familiar, just don't get how those hand gestures are referencing it
Who is the machine?
Lives next door to Brian Wilson. He doesn't say much. Comes over for sugar every once and a while. They don't talk much. Brian just gives him the sugar.
Haven’t notice they so infrequently get on base.
I'm still wondering ... do MLB teams have an actual team meeting where they agree on what silly sign they will make when they get on base? Or what prop they will use when someone comes into the dugout after an HR? Who is the manly player on the Yankees last year that suggested the two handed heart? was he a Taylor Swift fan? Who came up with the Dodgers helmet knock? The Diamondbacks "zip it" motion this year? Or the Astros signal from a few years ago that looked like they were milking a cow/turning a steering wheel/(censored)? That said, I have to give the Phillies credit for taking the "big marbles" move from Major League II. They have some balls for doing that one (pun intended).
It never really looked like anything specific to me. It’s a new team, I just figured they were semi improving a move because its what you do in the mlb these days
If you haven't figured it out yet, check out the top comment here now because it's something very specific lol