The Los Angeles Angels broke a 106-game streak of losses when trailing in the ninth inning with a walk-off victory against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night. The win was accompanied by a distinctive fan celebration known as the "tarps off" cheer.
Hundreds of fans in the right-field section of Angel Stadium participated in the "tarps off" cheer, waving their shirts as the team was down 2-1 in the eighth inning. The energetic display continued through the bottom of the ninth when Jo Adell came to bat with the bases loaded and the game tied. Adell was hit by a pitch, allowing Zach Neto to score the winning run.
The "tarps off" movement has gained traction throughout the season and was notably observed among Cardinals fans earlier in the year. St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol even encouraged fans to participate in the cheer during a game against the Kansas City Royals on May 15.
In addition to its role as a fan motivator, the "tarps off" cheer has also been incorporated into fan protests. Chants of "Sell the team" have echoed from the same right-field seats on multiple occasions this season, reflecting dissatisfaction with Angels owner Arte Moreno. The team has not reached the playoffs since 2014 and currently holds a 40-61 record in the AL West, trailing the division lead by 11 games.