How Scotland's Tartan Army has taken MLB by storm this summer
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Baseball is a global game, as the World Baseball Classic showed yet again in March. But its reach has continued to grow in other ways recently, thanks to ... the World Cup?
With soccer's ultimate tournament underway in North America this summer, footy fans from around the globe have come to the United States to watch their countries compete. But one country in particular -- or, rather, its "Tartan Army" -- has also found time to take over baseball stadiums in the most festive of ways.
That's just one of the storylines covered in the latest episode of "This Week in Baseball," available now on MLB's X account, at MLB.com and on MLB.TV. The release continues the revival of the classic show that debuted as a 30-minute program in 1977 and delighted baseball fans around the country for decades with highlights, bloopers, player interviews and more.
The new short-form version, developed by MLB Studios and produced in partnership with MLB Network, is hosted by Kait Maniscalco and continues the tradition of the original version, which was hosted by Hall of Fame broadcaster Mel Allen.
This week's episode puts a spotlight on the thousands of Scottish soccer fans -- known collectively as the Tartan Army -- who have swarmed to MLB stadiums to get a taste of baseball as a side adventure as they root for their team in the World Cup.
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The group, which has gained a following among baseball fans in America because of its bagpipes, raucous enthusiasm and overall party vibe, first had a takeover of Fenway Park in Boston, then made its way to Yankee Stadium in New York before continuing to loanDepot park in Miami. The atmosphere they've created at stadiums has delighted baseball fans and has shown that there are many ways to have fun at the ol' ballpark.
Other topics on this week's episode include a look at baseball's three-generation families, the Phillies' recent barrage of long balls and a "Road TWIB" to Wrigley Field.
New episodes of "This Week in Baseball" drop on Fridays at noon ET on MLB's X account and are available the next day at MLB.com and on MLB.TV.