Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsTuesday, August 4, 2026
SBNation.com homepageSB NationSB Nation logo

We asked our followers to #SMELLBASEBALL. Here’s what happened next.

Once in a while the internet is truly an inspirational place. This is one of those times.

by Justin Bopp

Last night one of our favorite twitter personalities, free agent starter Ervin Santana, begun meditating on the beauty and the you’ll-never-forget-it smell of baseball:

It’s an enchanting thought, isn’t it? When I think of the smells of baseball I think of the Marlboro-laden sweat from my dad, the crisp air of spring, the eye-pinching, slightly metallic, burnt-flesh smell of cheap hot dogs in soggy buns, and leather, dirt, and discount beer. Lots of beer.

Oh Erv, how awesome are you?

The rest is really history. Here’s what happened next:

Wafter here was our early leader in the clubhouse.

There’s a true passion here, folks.

Nice gear. I can smell it from here!

This is some serious, high-quality baseball sniffin.

...and yet...

Oh my god we have a new leader! This pic could be its own indie film. “Baseball smell beautiful.” Or something.

#historicalbaseballsniffin

That sideways glance. That lighting.

#unwillingbaseballsniffin

This is Gandalf lighting his staff. Both of the nerds reading will get this joke.

There’s a lot happening here, Kate.

That last one probably wins on cuteness alone. Thanks, crazy followers.

More from SB Nation MLB:

• 2013-14 MLB free agent tracker | Brian Roberts, Yankees agree to deal

• The most adorable Baseball-Reference page ever | #Lookit

• Goldman: Diamondbacks on wrong end of trade, again

• Japanese ace Masahiro Tanaka may stay overseas

• Death of a Ballplayer: Wrongly convicted prospect spends 27 years in prison

See More:

More in MLB

MLB
MLB Trade Deadline grades: Live analysis and grades for every major 2026 dealMLB Trade Deadline grades: Live analysis and grades for every major 2026 deal
MLB
MLB trade deadline: Latest rumors on Tarik Skubal, Hunter Greene, and moreMLB trade deadline: Latest rumors on Tarik Skubal, Hunter Greene, and more
MLB

What are the latest rumors ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline?

By Mark Schofield
MLB
MLB trade rumors on Twins, Red Sox, Tarik Skubal, and more ahead of Monday’s deadlineMLB trade rumors on Twins, Red Sox, Tarik Skubal, and more ahead of Monday’s deadline
MLB

These are the rumors you need to know before MLB’s Monday evening trade deadline.

By Mark Schofield
Videos
The Dodgers discovered Mike Piazza, then came to despise himThe Dodgers discovered Mike Piazza, then came to despise him
Play
MLB
MLB Reacts: Tarik Skubal could change the future of MLBMLB Reacts: Tarik Skubal could change the future of MLB
MLB

In this week’s SB Nation MLB Reacts survey, let us know if you think the Tigers will trade Tarik Skubal by the deadline

By Kyle Thele
MLB
The Red Sox proved clutch isn’t real until it saves your seasonThe Red Sox proved clutch isn’t real until it saves your season
MLB

The Red Sox unlikely heater saved a lost season.

By Oliver Fox

The Latest