The MLB Finally Gave The “POOP Game” A Proper Memorial After NBC Went Away From The “POOP” Scorebug

Major League Baseball finally provided the proper send off to the “POOP Game” and “POOP” series.

There’s an outside chance that you have no idea what I’m talking about when I say “POOP game.” Allow me to enlighten you. When I say “POOP Game,” or even “POOP Series,” I’m talking about the scoreboard imaging that used to appear on broadcasts of the baseball games between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Historically, when you would turn on one of their games (if you aren’t within one of the MLB’s asinine blackout regions), you’d see the Pirates “P” logo and the Phillies “P” logo on some portion of your screen.

And when the game first started, both teams would have a score of “0,” which allowed for the… there’s no real good way to say this, but it allowed for the “POOP” to occur:

It was the only series of the year where fans of both teams cheered for their squads to not score runs. That way the hilarious “P O O P” stayed up on the screen for as long as possible. It might seem stupid, but it gave a lot of joy to that small part in each and every one of us that values bathroom humor.

Though there was rampant fear that the “POOP Game” was over when the Philadelphia Phillies broadcast unveiled their new “score bug” for the season earlier this year. When I first covered the story (I’m Whiskey Riff’s “POOP Game” Correspondent), I noted that there was always a chance that the imaging would just be used for the spring baseball games. However, it did seem as though the NBC broadcast had opted to move to three-letter team names in lieu of each respective team’s logo.

Here’s a look at what I’m talking about:

For those wondering what it looks like this year. RIP PooP. pic.twitter.com/gnObHk3aD2

— Nick Havens (@NHavens) May 17, 2025

If you aren’t following so far, the logos being displayed in the score bug are a critical part of allowing for the “POOP Games” and “POOP Series.” And since NBC moved away from logos altogether, that means that we’ve all experienced our very last baseball game where “P O O P” shined brightly on our screens… without even getting to say goodbye.

That is until the MLB – or at least the Philadelphia Phillies broadcast – decided to eulogize the “POOP Game” prior to the most recent Pittsburgh-Philadelphia matchup. Finally, the “POOP Game” got the send off that it deserved:

Who is cutting onions in here?

Though it’s absolutely tragic that the “POOP Game” is no more, I’m happy that it was provided the proper eulogization. It’s a loss that many baseball fans will take quite some time to get over, and though it only lasted from 2022 to 2024… the “POOP Game” and “POOP Series” will always be alive and well in our hearts.

The social media outpouring showing support for the MLB recognizing one of baseball’s zaniest traditions was cool to see:

Moments like these make sports special!

— George (@Thecityismine_x) May 16, 2025

I might hate the Phillies but man, what a touching tribute by them

— omsportsburner (@omsportsburner) May 16, 2025

While it will be missed, it was a great tribute to a wonderful time in television. pic.twitter.com/moTVMLEcm0

— 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥 𝗗𝗙𝗦 & 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗦 (@LineStarApp) May 16, 2025

This is the best 30 seconds in television history

— J Schuchman (@John_Schuchman) May 16, 2025

Not my favorite scorebug but definitely a solid number 2.

— Garage Gameday Sports (@GamedayGarage) May 16, 2025