Row your boat: Cards' new celebration inspired by Norway World Cup team

CHICAGO -- José Fermín pulled into second base, looked toward the Cardinals' dugout and smiled.

Then came the rowing.

Every player along the top step of the dugout leaned forward in perfect unison, mimicking the synchronized rowing celebration that has become one of the breakout trends of this summer's World Cup as Norway has advanced to the Round of 16.

Just like that, the Cardinals had a new celebration.

"It was fun," Fermín said. "They loved it today. So I think we're going to keep rolling with it."

The celebration made its official debut Friday afternoon after Fermín lined a second-inning double into the left-field corner during the Cardinals' 17-1 rout of the Cubs. As he stood on second, the dugout erupted into synchronized rowing motions, turning a soccer phenomenon into baseball's newest extra-base hit celebration.

The idea belonged to Fermín.

A self-described soccer fan, Fermín said he had been watching Norway's run at the World Cup and loved the team's rowing celebration after goals. During Friday's pregame workout, he floated the idea to his teammates as something the Cardinals could adopt after doubles and triples.

The response didn't take long.

"We did it yesterday pregame a little bit," Fermín said. "Guys liked it, and I'm like, 'I think we could do it for doubles, triples now.'"

His double just happened to be the first opportunity.

"It was so fun," Fermín said. "Obviously I'm really into watching soccer, so watching what Norway is doing, it's fun. Guys liked it too."

Not everyone in the clubhouse knew exactly where it came from.

"I am not a soccer guy," rookie Blaze Jordan admitted with a laugh. "Fermín kind of explained it to me. But it's pretty cool what we've got going."

Jordan got his first chance to participate moments later after Jordan Walker doubled in the third inning.

"I got to see [Walker] hit the double and we were able to do it in the dugout," Jordan said. "That's just how we do it here. We're having a lot of fun, and there are a lot of guys rooting for each other."

The timing couldn't have been much better.

On the same day the celebration debuted, the Cardinals produced their most explosive offensive performance of the season, scoring a season-high 17 runs while piling up 17 hits. The lineup never stopped applying pressure, and the dugout never stopped rowing.

"I think the celebration earned another day," Fermín said with a grin. "Tomorrow we're going to do it again."

For a club that has emphasized energy and togetherness throughout the season, the new celebration may have arrived at the perfect time.

Or, if Friday was any indication, it might already be good luck.