5 Christians playing in the 2019 World Series

By Samuel Smith, Deputy Managing Editor Friday, October 25, 2019

Gerardo Parra

The viral toddler song “Baby Shark” has become somewhat of a rallying cry this season for the Nationals and their fans.

That all started after the Nationals traded for 32-year-old veteran outfielder Gerardo Para, a native of Venezuela who, with his colorful sunglasses, has quickly become beloved by fans in the nation’s capital.

According to The Washington Post, Parra was looking to end a 0-22 slump when he decided to change his walk-up music that is played when he is announced as the batter to “Baby Shark” before a June game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

“Baby Shark” is a tune that he has listened to and sung with his 2-year-old daughter, Aaliyah.

It didn’t take long for that song to be adopted as the unofficial anthem of the Nationals and their fans.

In an interview earlier this season with 106.7 The Fan, Parra was asked how he came up with the idea to use “Baby Shark” as his walk-up song. Parra said the only things he consulted before making that decision was his heart and God.

"That's the only people that talked to me before I did that,” Parra said.

When talking about why he chose “Baby Shark” with The Washington Post, Para explained, “I think God send to me.”

Parra has been open about his Christian faith over the years on social media.

In 2016, he posted a photo of a cross to Instagram and called for prayers for Ecuador. Also in 2016, Parra posted a picture of him and his wife with ash on their foreheads following an Ash Wednesday service.