Parra’s gone, but ‘Baby Shark’ chomps on

The ballplayer’s life is transient, and fans understand this. Yet it still stings when a fan favorite takes their leave.

And when that departing player is responsible for a viral championship rallying cry? It doesn’t just sting — it bites.

So it goes with Nats outfielder Gerardo Parra, who signed this week with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. Parra, you’ll recall, was the guy who changed his walkup music to the ear worm known as “Baby Shark” on June 19. He had been 0 for 23. The result was a 2-for-4 night.

It became a thing among the fans, because obviously. Then it became a weird, wonderful anthem for the Nats’ unstoppable postseason.

Hot sports take: Parra’s gone, but “Baby Shark” shore ain’t fin-ished in this town.

Below are some of the moments that cemented the song’s place in D.C. sports lore.

Birth of a thing: “The whole park’s doing it! You’ve gotta see this!”

It’s the playoffs. Bring on the costumes!

Remember when “Sweet Caroline” was fashionable? No longer.

WTOP EXCLUSIVE: Michelle Basch interviews dude in shark costume after Game 1 of the World Series. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

The final “Baby Shark” for 2019 at Nationals Park, sung during the Game 7 watch party. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

Clubhouse Shark! Doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo … (WTOP/George Wallace)

Let’s class this up a bit at the National Cathedral. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Finally, let’s brass it up a bit at the Kennedy Center.

Jack Pointer

Jack contributes to WTOP.com when he's not working as the afternoon/evening radio writer.

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