Last night, at the Little League Classic , the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners did something you don’t usually see in Major League Baseball: after the final out, they walked across the field and shook hands, just like Little League teams do after every game. It was a simple gesture, but one that carried weight far beyond the scoreboard.
And honestly? It’s something MLB should adopt after every game.
Sportsmanship Shouldn’t End With Childhood
In youth baseball, players line up after games, say “good game,” and shake hands, no matter the outcome. It’s not about the score—it’s about respect, humility, and the understanding that competition doesn’t erase camaraderie. Somewhere along the way, though, that tradition gets left behind.
By the time players reach the major leagues, the handshake line is replaced by dugout high-fives for the winners and a quiet exit for the losers. Professional athletes, for all their talent and maturity, often skip the most basic display of sportsmanship.
But if kids can do it, why can’t adults?
A Lesson From the Kids
When Little League players shake hands, they’re reminded that the person in the other dugout isn’t an enemy—they’re another kid who loves the same game. That’s powerful. If MLB players did the same, they’d be sending a message to fans and future generations: respect runs deeper than rivalry.
Think of the impact on young fans watching at home. Instead of seeing players storm off in frustration or celebrating only with their own teammates, they’d see a living example of grace in both victory and defeat.
Setting the Tone for Fans
Let’s be honest—sports fans can get heated. Rivalries sometimes spill into ugly arguments, online trash talk, and even physical altercations in stadiums. Imagine if, at the highest level of the game, players showed fans that it’s possible to compete fiercely for nine innings and still end the night with a handshake.
It wouldn’t erase rivalries, but it could cool some of the hostility. It would remind us that baseball is supposed to unite communities, not divide them.
Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
In today’s sports culture, where highlight reels and social media moments often spotlight arrogance and taunting, something as simple as a handshake can stand out as radical. It shows humility. It shows maturity. And it shows that the game itself—the love of baseball—is bigger than individual egos.
Final Out
The Mets and Mariners gave us a glimpse of what baseball could look like if MLB embraced the same sportsmanship we demand from kids. Every handshake line is a reminder that at its heart, baseball is just a game—a beautiful, challenging, emotional game, but still a game.
Maybe it’s time for the adults to take a cue from the kids. After all, what’s the harm in saying “good game”?
Learn more at: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45967123/mlb-2025-little-league-classic-mariners-mets-mlb-stars-special
The Importance of Post-Game Handshakes in Baseball: A Tradition Worth Starting
The Sport Lady has been a lifelong sports enthusiast. She believes that sports have the power to unite people, create common bonds, and foster shared experiences. As a wife and mother of sports lovers, she is passionate about her favorite teams and cherishes every opportunity to watch them play. For her, every day is game day