It was a great time to be a fan of the Oakland A’s in the late 1980s and into the ’90s. Bob Welch and Dave Stewart fronted a formidable rotation, with Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley locking down the ninth inning. The lineup was equally fearsome, with the Bash Brothers – Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire – striking fear into the hearts of the opposition.
As Canseco and McGwire became household names, their unique way of celebrating found its way amongst baseball fans. Their forearm bash, a different way of celebrating their home runs, became a staple in sandlot baseball games.