"Rocking the baby" in sports

[cykrider]

When watching Alexandre Vinokourov’s stage 9 win in the Tour de France this year he crossed the line “rocking the baby” you can see a photo here What’s the deal with this? What does it mean? Where does it come from etc?

I’ve also seen it done in a lot of soccer matches after someone scores a goal. Any ideas?

Thanks.

[rexnervous]

Don’t know if this is where it started, but the first time I saw it was in the 1994 World Cup (in the U.S.) where Brazilian striker Bebeto did it after he scored to commemorate his new child

[xicanorex]

*Originally posted by rexnervous *
**Don’t know if this is where it started, but the first time I saw it was in the 1994 World Cup (in the U.S.) where Brazilian striker Bebeto did it after he scored to commemorate his new child **

AFAIK, thats’ where it started in futbol.

According to this source:

The Sunday Times

The 1994 finals were remarkable for the manner in which American fans embraced the big occasion - despite a lack of true soccer tradition - and produced average crowds of close to 70 000 over the 53 matches. …It was the game in which Bebeto and Romario raced to supporters in the stand, after each had scored and mimicked what has now become their famous baby-rocking imitation - to indicate the birth of a child to Bebeto and his wife shortly before the kickoff.

XicanoreX

[xicanorex]

For the pictures of Bebeto doing his famous “rockamybaby” celebration.

XicanoreX

[rexnervous]

So, is this definitive then? Any other soccer (football) fans know of this celebration predating the 1994 World Cup? Or any other sports?

[Cardinal]

Never heard of it. Why would that stick, when it doesn’t sound tough or celebretory?

[Cardinal]

OK, I’m bumping this. Why would “rocking the baby” have any meaning for anyone else? I’m presuming that they’re not about to have a baby. It strikes me as a very odd gesture to become a fixture in sports.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

I’m going to start doing it when I’m happy. When the photocopier completes a run without jamming, or when I fill up early enough at the gas station that they still have free newspapers.

[everton]

*Originally posted by cykrider *
**When watching Alexandre Vinokourov’s stage 9 win in the Tour de France this year he crossed the line “rocking the baby” you can see a photo here What’s the deal with this? What does it mean? Where does it come from etc?

I’ve also seen it done in a lot of soccer matches after someone scores a goal. Any ideas? **

Vinokourov wasn’t celebrating the birth of a baby, he was expressing solidarity with the widow and fourth-month-old son of his friend, rider Andrei Kivilev, who had died in a crash earlier in the race.

Bebeto’s was certainly the first such celebration I can recall and have only ever seen it when the player has a newborn to celebrate. It’s not a general purpose gesture.

[everton]

Here’s Alexandre Vinokourov’s own explanation.

[Cardinal]

Well, he isn’t quoted as saying that the gesture was for Kivilev’s family, but I’ll assume that you’re right.

At least this hasn’t turned into some nutty, illogical gesture of victory in general.

[everton]

The linked article may have been a little longer than some people want to read, but the second page had this comment:

“I am giving everything to win this race for Andrei,” said an emotionally charged Vinokourov. “I want to win this race for him, his wife and baby. I hope to keep the jersey until Nice. It’s like I am racing with Andrei now. It is very powerful.”

So although he didn’t say in so many words “I went like this with my arms because I felt bad about my friend’s baby growing up with no dad”, but there’s no other logical interpretation.