England’s dramatic World Cup victory over DR Congo on Wednesday apparently wasn’t enough to satisfy a group of traveling supporters looking for live sports. After celebrating Harry Kane’s late heroics that pushed the Three Lions into the Round of 16 in Atlanta, a number of English fans decided to continue the day by experiencing something completely different: Major League Baseball. Their destination was Truist Park, where the Atlanta Braves hosted the St. Louis Cardinals. What began as a curiosity about America’s pastime quickly turned into one of the more entertaining scenes of the night.
English Soccer Chants Take Over Truist Park
Gathered in a section beyond left-center field, the English supporters did what they know best. Rather than quietly watching the game, they brought the familiar energy of a soccer crowd, creating chants for Braves center fielder Michael Harris II. Songs echoed through the ballpark with lines including, “Walking in a Harris wonderland” and “Baseball’s coming home again with Michael Harris,” putting an unmistakably English twist on the baseball atmosphere.
The chants did not go unnoticed. Before one of the innings, Harris acknowledged the supporters by tossing a baseball in their direction, drawing another enthusiastic response from the group that had adopted him as the evening’s favorite player.
Fans Embrace Their First Baseball Experience
One fan, identified as Nige, explained the unexpected visit during an interview with Braves television.
“It’s my first experience of baseball, and we didn’t know what to expect,” Nige said. “What we’re trying to do is just bring a little bit of English atmosphere to what is obviously a slightly different sport. But it’s amazing, it’s fantastic to see something different. 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.”
The Braves rewarded the visitors with a victory. Atlanta defeated the Cardinals 5-1, improving to 50-34 on the season. Harris contributed to the win by finishing 1-for-4 with an RBI, giving the traveling fans another reason to celebrate after spending much of the night singing his name.
Michael Harris Continues Strong Braves Season
The victory also strengthened Atlanta’s position atop the National League East. The Braves entered Thursday holding a 2½-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies, continuing a strong campaign that has seen Harris return to the form that first made him one of baseball’s brightest young stars.
Now 25 years old, Harris broke into the majors in spectacular fashion in 2022, earning National League Rookie of the Year honors after batting .297 with a .339 on-base percentage, a .514 slugging percentage, 19 home runs, and 64 RBIs. Although his offensive production dipped over the following two seasons, he has bounced back impressively this year.
Through 78 games, Harris is batting .293 with an .817 OPS while adding 14 home runs and 44 RBIs, helping anchor a Braves lineup that once again looks capable of making a deep postseason run.
For one memorable night, however, the story extended beyond the box score. A group of English soccer supporters, fresh from celebrating their national team’s World Cup success, found themselves embracing baseball with the same passion they normally reserve for football. Their chants added an unexpected soundtrack to the evening and created a cross-sport moment that both the Braves and their fans are unlikely to forget.
