Keith Morrisroe has been part of the Nationals crew since 2022, but he’s never driven anyone before. He’s one of five drivers who rotate daily, patiently waiting for someone to show up from the bullpen that day who wants to ride in the cart. “I park my car right outside the gate, and when they get in, I give them a ride.”
Morrisroe surprised everyone when Twins relief pitcher Steven O’Carto came in to relieve Simeon Woods Richardson in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Nationals. He planned to buy the jersey of whoever got the chance. “When I started, I told myself that whoever the first guy I was playing against was the one I was going to buy that guy’s jersey,” he said.
Of course, Aucart wasn’t expecting the $5 tip or the social media frenzy that rained down on him after he reached over with the bill. “He jumped down and made a gesture as if to give me something,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting a tip and the whole bench was laughing. It was a bit of a shock, but I thought it was a fun, heartwarming moment.”
From every angle, Auchert made history with his tip. As a Nationals spokesman pointed out, Auchert had been in the cart during bullpen sessions during his time with Miami, but this was the first time he, or any other player, had offered a tip. According to Morrisroe, “in a group chat, [between the driving crew] Everybody was so excited, it was like this was the first time.”
He’s already framing the bills, just like restaurants and bars get their first dollar.
The history of bullpen carts is a sadly lost art. Cleveland first introduced them in the 1950s, and other teams followed suit. Perhaps the most notorious was the tugboat-style MS reliever that the Mariners used for one season in the 1980s. But today, only the Nationals (though not especially) use them regularly. As The Washington Post’s Jesse Dougherty reports, most pitchers feel it can disrupt their routine or that they’re not experienced enough to enjoy it.
Not so for Auchert, who got four outs in a close game between the Twins and Nationals. “I was waiting for my turn all series,” he told Dan Hayes of The Athletic. “I had to use it.” His performance at Nationals Park:
In 42 at-bats, Aucart allowed nine hits (including two homers), struck out 12 and walked three. His on-base percentage at Nationals Park is significantly lower than at all other ballparks combined. Maybe Aucart is doing something a little strange. He’s not a pitcher who predicts pitches, he’s just a pitcher who anticipates.
Morris-Law balances the seriousness the pitchers might face in that moment with entertainment for the fans. “We don’t talk to the pitchers most of the time. They’re in their zone.” At the same time, the gimmick also provides a little added value. “We just want to be part of a fun game-day experience for all the fans and the players. And I think people got a heartwarming story out of that moment. So who doesn’t want more of that?
