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No one really knows where the term bullpen comes from, and no one theory has enough compelling evidence to support or refute the origin. No more certain is the debate about when the word bullpen was first used. OED sites the earliest use dating back to a 1924 Chicago Tribune article, while other sources say the area referring to where pitchers warm up (especially relief pitchers), was first called the bullpen in a Baseball Magazine article published in 1915.
Regardless, the National League Championship series between the Dodgers and Phillies opens tonight, and the pen is certainly going to figure heavily in it. So we thought we’d take a look at six popular bullpen origin theories that have been going around for some time. If we left one of your favorites off the list, by all means tell us about it in the comments below.
1. The fans herded like cattle theory
One of the more likely theories goes like this: In the 1800s, a few innings after a game started, fans could get tickets at the box office for a big discount. But cheap tickets came with a, er, catch: you had to stand in a roped-off area off to the side of the field in foul territory. So the fans were treated a bit like cattle in a pen. When this area became the spot where pitchers warmed up, once relievers became part of the game, the name stuck.
2. The Bull Durham Tobacco theory
In the late 1800s, early 1900s, many stadiums featured giant Bull Durham Tobacco ads on the outfield fence. Because relievers warmed up behind the fence, the picture became associated with the pitchers.
3. The pitcher headed to slaughter theory
This theory suggests that relievers, like bulls, sit in a holding pen before being sent off to slaughter. Though a clear metaphor, certainly as much could be said for a pitcher like Jose Mesa heading out into game 7 of the ’97 World Series, right?
4. The Casey Stengel theory
Outfielder and manager Casey (at the Bat) Stengel, used to say that the term came from the fact that relief pitchers sat in the pen shooting the bullsh*t.
5. The rodeo theory
Some argue that the name was taken from another popular sport: rodeo. Here, of course, bulls (and their cowboys) are held in a small pen before being released into the arena. Perhaps the bucking bull is a metaphor for the opposing team ready to knock the cowboy out of the game.
6. The Jon Miller theory
If you live in the Bay-area, you certainly are familiar with Jon Miller’s voice calling the Giants’ games. A favorite on ESPN’s Sunday/Monday night baseball, as well, Miller has said that the term originates with the Giants—that is, the New York Giants, who used to play on the Polo Grounds in the late 1800s. According to Miller, there was a real bull pen out beyond the left-field fence, with real bulls in it! And the relief pitchers warmed up not too far from there.
Comments (16)
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As an Indians Fan, #4 was a particularly low blow.
:P
posted by Kim on 10-15-2009 at 9:24 am
Can we get an explanation of what happened to the bullpen car? Growing up, I thought ‘bullpen car driver’ was my ticket to the big leagues.
posted by Jason English on 10-15-2009 at 10:01 am
I always assumed #5 (the rodeo theory) was the source, since it seems to be the simplest and most obvious answer.
posted by Craig on 10-15-2009 at 10:39 am
If I had to guess, I would say that the Jon Miller theory is, well, bull.
/#5 seems most straightforward.
posted by Wilson on 10-15-2009 at 11:07 am
I’d never heard of any theories other than the Jon Miller one before. I just thought it was fact.
posted by Johnny Cat on 10-15-2009 at 11:26 am
They’re all wrong. The term “bull pen” was originally used as a term for a small prison or holding cell. This usage goes back at least as far as the Civil War. Do a Google Book Search for “military bull pen” and you’ll get several results from the late 19th and early 20th century. It doesn’t take much imagination to see the similarities between a prison and the fenced-in bullpen.
posted by Ryan on 10-15-2009 at 12:17 pm
Ryan FTW!
posted by Bob on 10-15-2009 at 1:08 pm
Thanks for bringing back the bad memories about Jose Mesa. I guess a man can still be mad at somebody after 12 years.
posted by Joe on 10-15-2009 at 2:22 pm
Well Kim beat me to it but yeah #4 is still a touchy subject. Good post.
posted by J on 10-15-2009 at 3:32 pm
When raising cattle, bulls are kept in a separate small pen, while the other cattle are free to roam where they like. Sounds like the likely origin.
posted by bdub on 10-15-2009 at 9:40 pm
Casey Stengel wasn’t the “Casey at the Bat” from the poem, if that is what is implied by placing (at the Bat) after his name.
His nickname “K.C.” which became “Casey” was from the initials of his hometown of Kansas City. His name was also influenced by the already popular poem, “Casey at the Bat”
posted by Chris on 10-15-2009 at 11:35 pm
I have a problem with #6. In it you say that Jon Miller is a “favorite on ESPN’s Sunday/Monday night baseball” and for me this couldn’t be further from the truth. I don’t watch those games because he is the one announcing them. And every once in a while he will start to say something and then trail off and never finish his thought.
Also, go Marlins.
posted by Daniel on 10-16-2009 at 11:10 am
“I have a problem with #6. In it you say that Jon Miller is a “favorite on ESPN’s Sunday/Monday night baseball” and for me this couldn’t be further from the truth. I don’t watch those games because he is the one announcing them. And every once in a while he will start to say something and then trail off and never finish his thought.
Also, go Marlins.” -Daniel
QFT!! I am so with you on this. I can’t stand Jon Miller. He is, by far, the worst announcer I know.
posted by Kevin on 10-16-2009 at 1:55 pm
I too cannot stand John Miller.
He can’t even pronounce Furcal. Jon, it’s not “For-cal”.
posted by Patten on 10-16-2009 at 3:18 pm
ageed about jon miller. he’s terrible. the only person possibly worse is his sidekick, joe morgan. when those two team up, i either mute my t.v. or turn it to figure skating and cry.
posted by adam on 10-17-2009 at 1:57 am
Oh come now, John Miller isn’t even the worst announcer in his own booth. That honor (dishonor?) goes to the man sitting next to him, Joe Morgan.
posted by Steve on 10-17-2009 at 8:48 am