Nuñez and Winn Played Tic-Tac-Toe In Infield Dirt
Players from the Nationals and Cardinals engaged in an infield game during their recent matchup at Busch Stadium.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Baseball
Washington Nationals player Nasim Nuñez and St. Louis Cardinals player Masyn Winn took a lighthearted break between innings to play tic-tac-toe in the infield dirt. The game took place during an 11-inning contest that eventually saw the Nationals defeat the Cardinals 8-5.
Why it matters
The playful mid-game interaction offered a rare moment of levity during a competitive and lengthy game. It highlights the increasingly common practice of players finding creative ways to entertain themselves during lulls in professional baseball action.
The game lasted 11 innings with a final score of 8-5, while Nasim Nuñez has recorded 46 stolen bases so far this season. The activity involved marking X's and O's directly in the dirt between innings.
The players
Nasim Nuñez
He is a professional baseball player for the Washington Nationals known for his speed on the basepaths.
Masyn Winn
He is a professional baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals who serves as the team shortstop.
The details
As the game progressed, Nuñez and Winn opted to occupy the downtime by scratching a grid into the playing surface at Busch Stadium. This unofficial pastime mirrored similar lighthearted displays seen in past seasons, providing a brief diversion for fans watching the extra-inning clash.
Timeline
2022: Joe Musgrove and Chad Kuhl participated in a game of tic-tac-toe.
2025: Josh and Jace Jung engaged in an in-game match.
September 19, 2026: Nasim Nuñez and Masyn Winn played their match at Busch Stadium.
Season Trajectory
This event follows a pattern set by the 2022 in-game tic-tac-toe match between Joe Musgrove and Chad Kuhl. Such moments of levity have become a signature of modern players looking to humanize the long, 162-game grind of the professional baseball season.
The 11-inning contest significantly impacted the Cardinals' bullpen usage and overall depth for subsequent games in their current homestand. Statistically, Nuñez continues to be a factor on the basepaths with 46 stolen bases, affecting opponents' defensive positioning.
The takeaway
Players continue to find small, non-traditional ways to engage during the lengthy stretches of a professional baseball game. These moments serve as a reminder that even at the highest levels of competition, athletes find time to celebrate the simple traditions of the sport.
Further reading
For more information on the current season, visit Baseball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MLB.
