Pablo Sandoval’s Taylor Swift heart signal was not inspired by Taylor Swift

DETROIT — Pablo Sandoval did it while walking toward the camera in the dugout and again while pulling into second base with an eighth-inning double. So what was with the heart-shaped signal that the Kung Fu Panda was making in San Francisco's 2-0 win over Detroit in Game 3 of the World Series on Saturday?

Even his teammates didn't know, though they were plenty willing to hilariously mock him in the dugout after he did it.

"I was just messin' around in the dugout. I don't know what it is," reserve infielder Ryan Theriot said. "He does it, and we were really kind of just making fun of him."

"Maybe he's a big Taylor Swift fan," shortstop Brandon Crawford said.

Indeed, everyone's favorite teen singer is known for making the gesture, even getting credit for starting the celebrity fad in a New York Times article that ran in August 2011.

Sandoval, though, said he doesn't make the signal because Taylor Swift did it. Nor was he imitating Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber or Katy Perry (who can count Hunter Pence as a fan after the Giants right fielder spent the flight to Detroit watching her movie).

"It's for my family," Sandoval said after the game. "That's a heart. For my fiancée, my two daughters, my mother and my fans."

So it's not because he's been reading US Weekly a little too often?

"Nah, nah."

Whatever the case, the Giants are just glad Sandoval keeps getting the opportunities to say hello to his family. He went 2 for 4 on Saturday night, putting his World Series average at .636.

Big BLS H/N: @CorkGaines

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