Orioles GM Mike Elias Celebrates Clinching Playoff Ticket by Drinking From 'Dong Bong'

Mike Elias - Tampa Bay Rays v Baltimore Orioles

(Photo : Patrick Smith/Getty Images) BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias of the Baltimore Orioles drinks from the "Homer Hose" as his team celebrates in the clubhouse after clinching a 2023 MLB playoff berth by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 17, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Baltimore Orioles are off to their first postseason trip since 2016, and general manager Mike Elias celebrated in a huge way.

The 40-year-old executive drank from the team's iconic "Dong Bong," a funnel hose where players drank beer from during the season every time the team scored a home run.

ORIOLES GM MIKE ELIAS ON THE DONG BONG 😭 pic.twitter.com/hOI8tVwdHZ
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 17, 2023

The tradition began during the early parts of the season in April, although it can sometimes contain entirely family-friendly drinks such as bottled water.

The fans quickly named the funnel hose "dong bong," sparking a bit of controversy. The team made it clear that the official name of the celebration is the "Homer Hose."

Nonetheless, the name the fans picked out continued to be used.

Baltimore Orioles clinch playoff spot

The Orioles are bound to go to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, a testament to their exceptional rebuilding efforts driven by a strong minor league system.

Despite losing 110 games in a single season two years ago, they improved to an 83-79 record in 2022 and have continued to progress this year, currently at 93-56 and the best record in the whole American League, topping the AL East division.

"We could have clinched today and moved on and things don't work out how you want to and you don't get to do this once. I've seen it happen. So we wanted to celebrate and give these guys who have been here a taste of this," 35-year-old veteran pitcher Kyle Gibson said.