St. Louis Cardinals fans who started a viral shirtless trend in the right-field bleachers—dubbed “Tarps Off”—were invited into the clubhouse after the Cardinals beat the Kansas City Royals. The team’s manager said the atmosphere is felt in the dugout and helps
St. Louis Cardinals fans who took their shirts off in the right-field bleachers at Busch Stadium have gotten a reward that doesn’t usually come with a viral moment: an invitation into the clubhouse.
The trend began Friday night when Bryce Bradford and Caleb Cummings started the shirtless “Tarps Off” movement in the right-field bleachers as the Cardinals beat the Kansas City Royals in 11 innings.. “So then it just spread. and then there are a few kids in the section next to us who came to join. ” Caleb Cummings said.. “And soon, I see people from the ages of like 80 years old to kids doing it.. Dads coming over with their kids, running over with their shirts off.”
The movement picked up enough momentum to reach the team.. The Cardinals officially dubbed the section “Tarps Off. ” and manager Oli Marmol bought out the now-named “Tarps Off” section for the weekend.. After Friday night’s win. Marmol said. “Whoever started that in right field. I’ll do whatever I need to do to make sure they come every game because that was awesome.”
In the days that followed, Marmol described how the energy wasn’t confined to the stands.. When asked whether he and his players could sense it in the dugout, he said, “Are you kidding me?. Yeah, you can feel it, man.. It’s awesome. and it creates an environment where […] it’s making it a tough place for other teams to come in and play.”
The Cardinals then leaned into the story beyond the ballpark. After the Cardinals defeated the Royals, 4-2, on Saturday afternoon, Marmol invited the original “Tarps Off” crew into the clubhouse to meet and celebrate with the team.
The timeline is tight and connected: two fans kick off a viral shirtless moment on Friday as St. Louis wins in 11 innings, the Cardinals expand it by buying out the “Tarps Off” section for the weekend, and then after the Saturday 4-2 win the original crew is brought into the clubhouse.
St.. Louis, now 27-18, will close out its series with the Royals on Sunday afternoon.. The Cardinals then host the Pittsburgh Pirates for a three-game series next week. before heading out on a six-game road trip.. When they return. attention will likely turn to whether “Tarps Off” fades—or comes back with more force when the Cardinals host their bitter rival. the Chicago Cubs. to close out May.
St. Louis Cardinals Busch Stadium Kansas City Royals Tarps Off Oli Marmol viral fan trend clubhouse visit
So they just… let fans in shirtless in the clubhouse now? That’s wild, I don’t get why MLB is always so chill about stuff like that.
Wait it says they bought out a section? Like the team paid for people’s seats so they could take their shirts off again?? Kinda insane but also I mean it worked so whatever.
Man I saw a clip on TikTok, thought it was staged or something. Like players can “feel” it in the dugout? sure lol. Also 11 innings but then only 4-2 next day… the story is neat but feels like they’re hyping it way too hard.
This is why baseball’s going downhill. Next thing you know they’ll be handing out “tarps” like it’s some whole promotion, and then the kids are doing it because everyone copies everyone. I’m not saying it’s bad, just… weird that the manager is like “I’ll do whatever I need to do” over someone taking their shirt off. Also are they gonna try it vs the Pirates too or only Royals games?