Following their World Cup comeback win over DR Congo, some English soccer fans turned their attention to baseball, cheering for Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris at a game against the Cardinals on Wednesday.
The group of supporters, positioned in a section beyond left-center field, sang songs such as “Walking in a Harris wonderland” and “Baseball’s coming home again with Michael Harris.”
An appreciative Harris, 25, responded by throwing a ball toward the fans before the start of an inning. One fan, identified as Nige, told Braves TV reporter Wiley Ballard that it was his first experience with baseball and that the group aimed to bring an "English atmosphere" to the sport.
"It’s amazing, it’s fantastic to see something different," Nige said. "I love the whole build, I love the atmosphere, I love the fact that you guys do something so big. Just to be part of it for one night is really special."
Harris went 1-for-4 with an RBI in the Braves' 5-1 victory, which saw the National League East leaders improve their record to 50-34. The team entered Thursday with a 2 1/2-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Harris was the 2022 NL Rookie of the Year, achieving a .297 batting average, .339 on-base percentage, and .514 slugging percentage with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs. This season, he is batting .293 with a .817 OPS, 14 home runs, and 44 RBIs in 78 games.
England is scheduled to play its next World Cup match against Mexico in Mexico City on Sunday.