Did Dusty Baker invent the high-five?

[Electron Blue]

Seriously.

 

In my communications class, I heard that Baker was given credit for starting the high five. Any truth to that?

-- Jordan S., Bloomington, Ill.

 

According to BaseballLibrary.com, Baker homered in his final at-bat of the season on Oct. 2, 1977, and connected on his 30th of the year. Glenn Burke, the on-deck batter, greeted Baker with a high five. The Web site says that was believed to be the first high five in baseball. However, the Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball notes that the practice of slapping palms began in the late 1960s among black players. The Dickson Baseball Dictionary attributes high fives to the 1979 University of Louisville basketball players, and that it became popular in baseball in 1980.

 

As for Baker, he says he doesn't know if he and Burke started it. But he does remember the high five.

[bhogg]

Al Gore invented the high 5.

[dew1679666265]

Al Gore invented the high 5.

 

Before or after the internet? :)

[CubColtPacer]

Al Gore invented the high 5.

 

Before or after the internet? :)

 

After..he turned around and high fived his assistant when it was done :D

[Balsa]

I had no idea this was so recent. I was thinking like, 1800s maybe.

[MidoreX]

what exactly did people do for a quick little celebration back in the day? Hug, wave, pat on the back, shake hands... what? For some reason i always assumed the high 5 had been around since the beginning of time, and its just weird to think of someone hittin a homer, running all the way around the bases, and then not high fiving whoever he drove in as he gets to home plate.

 

*edit for correction of incredibly poor grammar.

[Tracer Bullet]

Dusty also invented the question mark.

[A New Era]

Dusty invented sucking at managing. .

[UMFan83]

Dusty invented sucking at managing. .

 

Several former Cubs managers strongly disagree with you

[stitchface]

he did invent the word dude, however.

[A New Era]

Dusty invented sucking at managing. .

 

Several former Cubs managers strongly disagree with you

 

Dusty invented the toothpick, maybe?

[NCCubFan]

Dusty invented the toothpick, maybe?

Former Cub pitcher Sam "Toothpick" Jones (who pitched a no-hitter in the 1950s) begs to differ.

[soccer10k]

Dusty first thought of it when he was on deck for Aaron's #715.

[A New Era]

Dusty invented the toothpick, maybe?

Former Cub pitcher Sam "Toothpick" Jones (who pitched a no-hitter in the 1950s) begs to differ.

 

I've got it! . . . Dusty invented the term Base-clogging!!!

[NCCubFan]

Dusty invented the toothpick, maybe?

Former Cub pitcher Sam "Toothpick" Jones (who pitched a no-hitter in the 1950s) begs to differ.

 

I've got it! . . . Dusty invented the term Base-clogging!!!

I think he also invented the term "moveable parts."

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm not sure if he invented the double switich, but he sure has mass marketed it.

[biittner77]

As for Baker, he says he doesn't know if he and Burke started it. But he does remember the high five.

 

I remember the high 5. There was a time when you'd see the high 5 after almost every good play. I like to call that time every day this season... and last season and the ones before.

[NewUserName]

Before the High Five there was a lot of rump smacking. I will have to go out on a limb and say that the High Five was good for sports.

 

Dusty may have invented "incoherent ramblings from a sain and sober man"

[AR-Baseball-Fan]

Dusty invented wrist bands for managers.

[Rob]

Somebody sure is reaching for something to pad the resume...

[NCCubFan]

Somebody sure is reaching for something to pad the resume...

Of course. We want his resume to look good to other teams to increase the chances he won't be back with the Cubs next year. :D