Why Reds players litter the dugout with money after hitting a home run, explained

Almost every Major League team has adopted some sort of home run celebration. In 2023, the Cincinnati Reds famously donned a Viking helmet and cape after each homer, but midway through last season, took their celebration down the dugout steps and into the clubhouse for a more private revelry away from the cameras.

This season, Reds players are allowing the cash to flow freely—something owner Bob Castellini rarely does. Reds players celebrate each round-tripper by pulling the trigger on couple of gold-colored money guns and allow several $100 bills (hopefully those aren't real) to rain down upon the slugger who just sent a blast over the wall.

But the story behind the Reds' home run celebration is actually an homage to their manager Terry Francona. Cincinnati's skipper is a known card player, and Francona doesn't just play for fun—he expects to have some skin the game.

Reds home run celebration honors manager Terry Francona

Earlier this month, FanDuel Sports Network's Jim Day spoke about the Reds' home run celebration. Day cited Francona's affinity for the card game cribbage, and during a broadcast said, "This (the Reds home celebration) is the players completely playing off of their manager, of letting the bills fly." Day also mentioned the possibility of another prop—namely a slot machine—may soon find its way into the Reds dugout.

In addition to the money guns in the dugout after a Reds home run, fans may have noticed that players also have bit of a casino-inspired celebration after hitting a double. When a Reds player nabs a two-bagger, he'll immediately make a dice-rolling gesture toward the Cincinnati dugout. One can only assume that this is merely another play off Francona's inclination to let it ride.

The home run celebrations are little more than a good-natured tribute to a player, manager, or even a city and/ or culture. The Baltimore Orioles have the home run hydration station, the Seattle Mariners employ their home run trident and the Colorado Rockies wore a ski helmet and goggles last season.

While Cincinnati has gotten off to a hot-start to open the 2025 season, Reds fans will want to see more dollar bills flying in the dugout as the season moves along. More dollar bills means more home runs, and more home runs (hopefully) means more victories.

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