The Dodgers' Defining Moment: October 2, 1977

Most widely accepted accounts trace the origin of the high five to a seemingly ordinary baseball game on October 2, 1977. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Dusty Baker hit his 30th home run of the season, making the Dodgers the first MLB team to have four players achieve this feat in a single year. As Baker rounded the bases, his teammate Glenn Burke, waiting on deck, spontaneously raised his hand in an enthusiastic gesture. Baker, unsure how to react, instinctively slapped Burke's upraised palm, creating a moment of pure, unscripted celebration.

Glenn Burke's Legacy Beyond the Game

While Dusty Baker was the recipient of the high five, Glenn Burke is largely credited with its spontaneous invention and popularization. Burke, an openly gay man in a professional sport at a challenging time, faced significant prejudice, eventually leading to his retirement from baseball. In the San Francisco Castro district, where Burke later resided, the high five became a "defiant symbol of gay pride," as noted by journalist Michael J. Smith in 1982. This adds a layer of depth to the gesture, connecting it to themes of identity and community.

Another Contender: The Louisville Cardinals

Though the Dodgers' moment is often cited as the definitive origin, another significant claim comes from the University of Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team during the 1978-79 season. According to this narrative, forward Wiley Brown went to give teammate Derek Smith a customary low five, but Smith urged him to go "up high" instead. This innovative move was captured in highlight reels of that season and discussed by announcers, further contributing to the gesture's spread, particularly within sports culture.

From Sporting Fields to Global Phenomenon

Before the late 1970s, hand slaps were common, especially the "low five" in the African-American community dating back to the 1920s. However, the elevated, open-palm slap as we know it today took root and exploded in popularity, transitioning from a unique athletic celebration to a ubiquitous gesture in everyday life. The high five's widespread adoption illustrates how a simple, joyful action can quickly permeate cultural boundaries, becoming a universal sign of agreement, achievement, and encouragement.