Why does the Braves' Joc Pederson wear a pearl necklace? (2024)

Why does the Braves' Joc Pederson wear a pearl necklace? (1)

Why does the Braves' Joc Pederson wear a pearl necklace? (2)

October 26, 2021 3:55 pm ET

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably asked the very question above: Joc Pederson, the outfielder for the Atlanta Braves — who are playing in the 2021 World Series against the Houston Astros — has started wearing a pearl necklace during games.

So: What’s the deal?

The answer isn’t completely certain, and Pederson has been asked about it a lot and has given various replies. But it’s an awesome quirk that could now be a good luck charm (you know how superstitious baseball players can be). The lefty hit a dinger in the NLDS series against the Milwaukee Brewers with the pearls on.

Let’s track this and the various answers:

Let's go back to Sept. 29

There he was in an at-bat against the Philadelphia Phillies, wearing the pearls. Social media started buzzing.

Joc Pederson is up to bat wearing a pearl necklace. pic.twitter.com/BlhVvMLW2q

— Baseball GIFs (@gifs_baseball) September 30, 2021

""Pearls are always appropriate."
– Jackie Kennedy"
– Joc Pederson pic.twitter.com/S81U7Cjhsq

— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) September 30, 2021

The first answer

When asked about it, he said it was a “mystery.”

Joc Pederson says him wearing pearls is a mystery. pic.twitter.com/0PjBheK6l6

— Baseball GIFs (@gifs_baseball) October 1, 2021

A couple of days later, he said there was no origin story to share, but he said he was “a bad [expletive].”

More answers on them

On Oct. 3, via MLB.com:

“There’s not much behind [the pearl necklace],” Pederson said. “I like it. It looks good.” …

“It wasn’t something that was supposed to get this much media attention,” Pederson said. “It’s just something that I like. It’s getting blown way out of proportion.”

It's truly become a thing

JOC PEDERSON!

It’s gotta be the pearls. 🔥😂

(🎥: @MLB) pic.twitter.com/Ebb1UkzNZK

— theScore (@theScore) October 8, 2021

He tweeted this on Oct. 11:

pearl JAM pic.twitter.com/nIYs9K4GrH

— Joc Pederson (@yungjoc650) October 11, 2021

And his former Dodgers teammates are asking about it:

Justin Turner said him and some other players facetimed Joc Pederson the other day

He said they asked him about the pearl necklace

— Blake Harris (@BlakeHarrisTBLA) October 15, 2021

His teammates don't even know the true reason

From USA TODAY Sports:

“What’s up with the pearls?’’ Atlanta third baseman Austin Riley said. “Everyone wanted to know. I had so many people ask me that. We were all asking each other that.

“No one knew.’’ …

“Guys had to find out, and you know what, we still don’t know,’’ Riley said. “I don’t know. It’s Joc. There’s no rhyme or reason.

“He told us he just woke up one day and said, ‘Hey, let’s try this pearl necklace.’

“And that was that.’’

But where did he get them?

Now THAT we have an answer to:

Joc Pederson on the origin of the pearls: I saw some and thought they looked cooler than the black or gold chains, so I texted my jeweler, got some, and it kind of took off.

— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) October 11, 2021

And now, there’s “Pearl Pandemonium,” per WSBTV:

“It’s Joctober:” @Braves fans embracing Joc Pederson, pearls pandemonium #BattleATL #MLB #Braves #Atlanta #ForTheA @yungjoc650 https://t.co/4DwOslxFQ7 pic.twitter.com/3BKQz0m97U

— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonWSB) October 12, 2021

Why does the Braves' Joc Pederson wear a pearl necklace? (2024)

FAQs

Why does the Braves' Joc Pederson wear a pearl necklace? ›

There's no rhyme or reason. He told us he just woke up one day and said, 'Hey, let's try this pearl necklace.' And that was that.''

Why did Joc Pederson wear a pearl necklace? ›

More answers on them

There's not much behind [the pearl necklace],” Pederson said. “I like it. It looks good.” … “It wasn't something that was supposed to get this much media attention,” Pederson said.

How much does Joc Pederson's pearl necklace cost? ›

Each necklace costs roughly $4,000. Reportedly, baseball fans in Pederson's native California weren't on board with his unique accessory. “They're not fans of my pearls here,'' Pederson said after playing in Dodger Stadium recently.

Who is the Braves player who wears a pearl necklace? ›

Joc Pederson wears iconic pearl necklace, receives Braves World Series ring – NBC Sports Bay Area & California.

Where are Joc Pederson's pearls? ›

Pederson is actually wearing a different strand — the pearls he wore last fall are now in Cooperstown. Pederson helped design the Braves' World Series rings during the lockout, but he didn't know a pearl was part of the design until after they were produced, of which, he said, “It is really special.”

Who started the pearl necklace trend in baseball? ›

We're Pretty Sure This Is the First String of Pearls in Baseball History. Atlanta Braves outfielder Joc Pederson has been rocking a pretty tremendous accessory.

What did pearl necklace mean? ›

The pearl necklace is often seen as a symbol of success and wealth but also embodies timeless elegance. It is also said to represent the moon, the water, and fertility. In some cultures, pearls are seen as symbols of luck or protection from harm. They are also thought to represent wisdom and prosperity.

Why do baseball players wear beads? ›

He has seen players who seem to perform better with the necklace or bracelet, but believes the change is psychological, not physical: “The athlete believes they are getting a boost or pop from the necklace. The necklace is increasing their energy level and it kind of chills them out and puts them on an even keel.

Who started the pearl necklace trend? ›

Even though modern-day celebrities are reviving the 'pearl' trend, this 'trend' dates back to the Roman Empire. You'll be surprised to know that for a long period, pearls were considered masculine jewelry parts. Only in the 20th century, pearls became a symbol of feminity.

Who is Joc Pederson's wife? ›

Married to Kelsey…has four children: daughter Poppy and sons Wilder, Rhodes and Fitz...In addition to being a top baseball prospect at Palo Alto (Palo Alto, Calif.)

Why are male athletes wearing pearls? ›

But when athletes sport them, it's a sign that pearls are breaking their female-centric boundaries into the gender-fluid mainstream.

What major league baseball player wears pearls? ›

Joc Russell Pederson (/ˈpiːdərsən/ PEE-dər-sən; born April 21, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Who wore the pearl necklace in the World Series? ›

Joc Pederson had the best late-season trend in all of sports last year: He wore a pearl necklace as the Atlanta Braves made a run to a World Series title. The necklace ended up in Cooperstown and the outfielder threw pearls out during the Braves' parade. But now, he's a member of the San Francisco Giants.

Why does Joc wear pearls? ›

It's Joc. There's no rhyme or reason. He told us he just woke up one day and said, 'Hey, let's try this pearl necklace.' And that was that.''

What does "pearl" mean in baseball? ›

Definition. The baseball; specif., a used baseball that is in excellent condition, such as a perfect batting-practice ball that is not blemished or stained. Term Definition. Baseball Dictionary | Baseball Almanac.

Who makes necklaces for the Phillies? ›

Alvarado has made the necklaces for the children of players like starter Zack Wheeler, and Marsh said that his mom and sister both have asked for one. Alvarado, who said that he's taken the mantle of the craftsmaker in his own home, is happy to fulfill every request that the Phillies' players and their families make.

Why are baseball players wearing beaded necklaces? ›

They are $50 "Tornado" necklaces made by Phiten. The company claims the product "helps to promote stable energy flow throughout the body." It says wearers benefit from shortened recovery time, less fatigue, and more relaxed muscles. One reason many players wear them?

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