Major League Baseball has just begun, and this week, selected teams, such as the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, will have their opening days in the US. The sport has always been a popular theme with The Simpsons, as they produced several episodes, even casting some legendary players as themselves. It's a fun way to connect fans with baseball and the show.
As we roll out the starting season, we're rewatching some of our favorite baseball-themed episodes. We're expecting a couple of foul balls since it's The Simpsons, but, for the most part, many home runs were scored. And it was Homer's doing, shocking as it was.
5 The Simpsons episodes that celebrate baseball and its culture
"Marge and Homer Turn a Couple Play"
Season 17
Homer and Marge become pseudo-marriage therapists for a famous couple whose relationship has hit the dirt. The trouble is that Buck Mitchell, the Springfield Isotopes star player, has a problem with his wife, Tabitha Vixx, being a pop star. She garners all the wrong attention from the men, and he lets it hobble his career.
The couple put their faith in the Simpsons in hopes of stitching up their marriage and lo and behold, it works. Buck and Tabitha have a stronger love than ever and they're able to coexist with one another's careers.
"MoneyBart"
Season 22
Lisa becomes the new coach of Bart's little league team, much to his chagrin. However, the clever eight-year-old applies mathematical equations and statistics to lead the junior Isotopes into the championships. Bart tells his sister that her brainiac ways ruin the fun of baseball, and he's out of the game.
Lia realizes the error of her ways, though, allowing Bart to play again, and although it was nice to win, it's even nicer to have a brother.
"Hungry, Hungry Homer"
Season 12
The Springfield Isotopes owner plan on moving the team to New Mexico and Homer is enraged. Yet, no one believes him when he tells his family and friends, and to prove to them that he's not lying, he goes on a hunger strike. You know he's serious when he does something like that, as it's very out of character for him.
At the game, the attendees discover that Homer was right all along, but looking at their hot dog toppings, as they're New Mexico ingredients. The 'Topes are staying in Springfield where they belong, and Homer eats to his heart's content.
"Dancing Homer"
Season 2
Homer becomes the Isotopes' new mascot simply by dancing at the game. Everyone loves it, and soon, it grabs the attention of the team's owner. He offers Homer the gig, and without thinking clearly, Homer accepts the job. Becoming Dancing Homer made him a local celebrity.
Yet, the luster wears off when at Capital City, as the fans thought it was time for Dancing Homer to move on and retire. He wasn't ready for the big leagues, but he'll have a memory to reflect on since it made fans happy.
"Homer At The Bat"
Season 3
"Homer At The Bat" is one of The Simpsons' GOAT episodes, for it had a solid and fun storyline, Homer's rise to appreciation, and a group of prime ball players doing cameos. I especially love the end credits as it was designed as an old-time film reel, with the song "We're Talkin' Softball."
To place the cherry on top, Homer wins his company's softball game, but it's partly due to all of the professional players finding grave misfortunes. Oh, well.
It's a great piece to honor real-life baseball and the aesthetics. Al Jean and Mike Reiss had a home run with "Homer At The Bat," and it remains a fan favorite to this day.