Evaluation is a curious thing. You’re trained to look for little particulars that set one profile above the other, one pitch mix sized up against the next, a River Rascal against a Loon, a switch- … wait.
What’s a River Rascal?
For a minor-league baseball team, which prides itself on providing family-friendly fun, mascots provide between-inning entertainment and bleacher hijinks. They are even more important to the ballpark experience than their big-league cousins. They’re also, quite often, much weirder and esoteric. While the minor-league season is all but an official wash, the mascots remain. They will outlive us all.
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So how do you determine which ones are the best? That’s what we’re here to determine.
A few things to keep in mind about the evaluation process:
- Mascots develop at their own pace. Talons take time to grow and inflating an inner tube around a pig isn’t a process that happens overnight
- Rankings are decided through personal and fan evaluation
- Yes, caterpillar dance form, T-shirt cannon delivery, and the seventh-inning stretch singing were all factored into these rankings
Now, settle in and enjoy this light-hearted spin away from my usual evaluation style … with a little help from your votes. We’re talking mascots and here are the top three choices from around the league, as chosen by a survey of fans and minor-league play-by-play broadcasters.
Low A
Midwest League
1. Rascal (Quad Cities River Bandits)
Parent Club: Houston Astros
The face of the River Bandits since 1994, Rascal makes up for his undersized frame with a scrappy and endearing field presence. Navigating the Bandits through their second stint as an Astros affiliate, Rascal donned his western duds while entertaining nearly 151,000 fans during the 2019 season.
In this June 2018 picture, Rascal performs before a game at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, Iowa. (Dennis Hubbard / Four Seam Images via AP)2. Big Lug (Lansing Lugnuts)
Parent Club: Toronto Blue Jays
Remember when there was only one fun-loving purple dinosaur? Well, Big Lug has successfully taken that title in Lansing, calling Cooley Law School Stadium home since 1996. The 7-foot-tall Jurassic face of the Lugnuts has become a staple in the Blue Jays’ Class-A baseball experience and the lopsided baseball adds a little style to the mix.
3. Homer (Peoria Chiefs)
Parent Club: St. Louis Cardinals
Born in 2004, Homer won over the Peoria Chiefs a year later and moved into calling Dozer Park home. The 7-foot-3-inch dalmatian made some waves in 2018, accepting a suspension from the Chiefs after an “On-Field Policy Behavior Ejection” for squirting an umpire with a squirt gun. Learning from his “mistakes,” Homer has returned to being a pillar of Peoria society.
South Atlantic League
1. Charlie T. RiverDog (Charleston RiverDogs)
Parent Club: New York Yankees
Charles T. Riverdog and Chelsea the Riverdog befriended over 300,000 fans throughout the 2019 season. The original face of the organization, Charles, or Charlie T. to those who know him best joined the organization in 1994 as an affiliate of the Texas Rangers. Chelsea joined three years later, continuing to entertain Yankees fans since their affiliation agreement in 2005.
Charlie T. RiverDog doesn’t wear pants and frankly, he could use a larger jersey. (Cliff Welch /Icon Sportswire via AP Images)2. Romey, Roxie & Roman (Rome Braves)
Parent Club: Atlanta Braves
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After trusting the on-field entertainment to the creative energy of husband/wife duo Romey and Roxie, the Rome Braves expanded it to become a family affair in 2015 with the introduction of their son, Roman. Romey, a 6-foot-3 blue … something is complemented by Roxie, a stylish 5-foot-5 beauty helping Romey work the crowds at State Mutual Stadium. For their five-year-old “child” Roman, that tradition looks to continue.
3. Ted E. Tourist & Mr. Moon (Asheville Tourists)
Parent Club: Colorado Rockies
Three years after their minor role in the Kevin Costner classic, “Bull Durham,” the Asheville Tourists introduced Ted. E. Tourist, a stocky teddy bear who quickly won the hearts of the attendees at McCormick Field. When the Tourists introduced a new addition to their mascot representation in 2011, there was some concern that Ted may not be able to handle the change, but being the class act that he is, welcomed the galactic presence of Mr. Moon and the two have successfully worked hand-in-hand much to the enjoyment of nearly 188,000 fans in 2019.
High A
California League
1. Bernie (Inland Empire 66ers)
Parent Club: Los Angeles Angels
Sitting in the top two slots for attendance in the California League for the last five seasons, Bernie may not be the most storied mascot in the league, but that hasn’t slowed his success in the eyes of the 66ers fans since 1999. Named the “Craziest Minor League Mascot” in 2011, Bernie took the torch handoff from “The Bug” and his famous style of dance and trademark “Woooo!” has become a fixture at San Manuel Stadium. Sources tell The Athletic that the copyright submission for the “Wooooing” is still being reviewed.
2. Splash (Stockton Ports)
Parent Club: Oakland Athletics
To be honest, we didn’t know 28EE was a shoe size until we were introduced to Splash, the current fact of the Stockton Ports. The 7-foot-5, bright red “Delta Creature” has been showing off his “unique” blue hairstyle for Ports fans since 2005. While his weight is unknown, due to unconfirmed reports of a broken scale, Splash isn’t shy about his love for hot dogs and deep-fried asparagus. A favorite of fans since the opening of Banner Island Ballpark, Splash is ready to welcome you for your next visit and may or may not intend to steal a stalk of asparagus when you’re not looking.
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3. Al the Almond, Wally the Walnut and Shelley the Pistachio (Modesto Nuts)
Parent Club: Seattle Mariners
After a 10-year campaign for Peanut the Elephant, the Modesto Nuts instituted a changing of the guard in 2005, introducing a pair of new faces in Al the Almond and Wally the Walnut. In an effort to sweeten the team, The Nuts added a third to the duo with the delicate face of Shelly the Pistachio. Founded in 1946, the Nuts have called the Seattle Mariners their parent club since 2017, their 10th professional affiliate since 1948.
Wally the Walnut is not at all frightening. (Aaron Provencio / Modesto Nuts)Carolina League
1. Muddy the Mudcat (Carolina Mudcats)
Parent Club: Milwaukee Brewers
Whether you prefer catfish or mudcat, Muddy, the tallest fish in the Carolina League, has called the Mudcats community home since 1991. The wiry catfish is passionate about developing his T-shirt tossing form and cultivating his relationship with his best friend, Mini Muddy. One of the most coachable mascots in the league, Muddy is always down for a good time, as long as you don’t bring up the topic of fishing poles — it makes him jumpy.
2. Rocky Bullwinkle, Mr. Celery & Rubble (Wilmington Blue Rocks)
Parent Club: Kansas City Royals
Serving as the fact of the five-time Carolina League champions, Rocky Bullwinkle leads a three-member mascot crew including Mr. Celery, a wiry crowd favorite with a greenish hue and Rubble, a stocky blue boulder. A plus-plus set of antlers complements Rocky’s endearing charm and he’s not afraid to work the crowds with ease at Daniel Frawley Stadium. In their second stint with the Kansas City Royals, Rocky, and his partners-in-crime add a special contribution for all in attendance.
3. Bolt (Winston-Salem Dash)
Parent Club: Chicago White Sox
Leading the Carolina League in attendance with nearly 265,000 fans, a big draw can be credited to the work of Bolt, the face of the Winston-Salem Dash. If you’re not quite sure what a bear-dog is, well …we’re not either, but the signature lightning bolt and mohawk has created an identity known to Dash fans everywhere. Bolt’s identity embodied the change to the organization when the Winston-Salem Warthogs were renamed The Dash in 2009, the same year for Bolt to make his debut in the Winston-Salem community.
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Florida State League
1. Shelldon (Daytona Tortugas)
Parent Club: Cincinnati Reds
Changing affiliations from the Chicago Cubs to the Cincinnati Reds in 2015 led to a facelift for the face of the organization. Shelldon was officially introduced to the Daytona fanbase at the end of 2014, making his debut at Jackie Robinson Ballpark the following year. One of the top attendance draws in the Florida State League, Shelldon has carried the Tortugas’ fan engagement in Daytona Beach, confirming how much baseball means to the Daytona community.
2. Blue (Tampa Tarpons)
Parent Club: New York Yankees
Representing the Tampa Yankees since 2003, the loveable mascot Blue had no trouble making the name-change transition to the Tarpons in 2018. Calling George M. Steinbrenner Field home, Blue and his electric red hairstyle work the 10,000 seat stadium during the steamy Florida State League activities and while it’s not completely clear exactly what creature category Blue qualifies for, that hasn’t made him any less popular with the Yankees’ Tampa fanbase.
3. Southpaw (Lakeland Flying Tigers)
Parent Club: Detroit Tigers
When the Detroit Tigers opted to give their spring training facility a facelift, the choice landed them back-to-back “Best Grapefruit League Ballpark” awards and the Lakeland Flying Tigers got to reap the fruits in calling the stadium their regular-season home. Along with the help of Ace, Southpaw has come to be expected to greet any attendees to Joker Marchant Stadium. With their “dad” Paws holding down the fort at Comerica Park, Southpaw and Ace are doing just fine down south.
Double A
Eastern League
1. C. Wolf (Erie SeaWolves)
Parent Club: Detroit Tigers
Arguably one of the most stylish mascots in the Eastern League, C. Wolf carries the spirit of the seas in his swashbuckling apparel. In addition to his signature howl, the fixture at UPMC Park in Erie, Penn., has become as equally well-known for his work around the community, garnering support for the organization in addition to reestablishing the organization’s appreciation for their fan base.
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2. Webster, Orbit, Homer & Rubberta (Akron RubberDucks)
Parent Club: Cleveland Indians
It’s a family affair at Canal Park when it comes to mascot representation for the Indians Double-A affiliate. Led by Webster, the larger-than-life waterfowl is joined by Orbit the space cat, Homer the inflatable pigeon, and Rubberta the duck. The ragamuffin crew holds down crowds that tip near 345,000 during a typical season in Akron, Ohio.
3. Slugger (Portland SeaDogs)
Parent Club: Boston Red Sox
Since his arrival at Hadlock Field in 1994, Slugger the Sea Dog has found a perfect balance between investing in the Portland community and entertaining more than 10 million fans since the start of his minor league career. The sea dog biscuit connoisseur leaves little projection remaining, thanks to his “healthy” weigh-in. “That’s putting it mildly,” one scout shared. A regular at the local Children’s Hospital, Slugger is all about his entertainment responsibilities and the city of Portland is just fine with that.
Southern League
1. Homer Hound (Tennessee Smokies)
Parent Club: Chicago Cubs
Since being founded in 1921, the Tennessee Smokies are representing their 12th affiliation; they’ve been with the Chicago Cubs since 2007. Homer the Hound continues to be the face of the organization that has hosted some of the Cubs’ top talent. Arguably the friendliest mascot in the Southern League, Homer is able to dress up or down for any occasion and lives for any opportunity to snap a selfie with anyone who loves Smokies’ baseball as much as he does.
2. Looie the Lookout (Chattanooga Lookouts)
Parent Club: Cincinnati Reds
One of the newest additions to the Cincinnati Reds’ organization, the Chattanooga Lookouts have had Looie the Lookout as the face of the Southern League affiliate since 1995. Working the seats at AT&T Park since 2000, the bright red creature boasts an oversized baseball cap with slimming black plants and no real need for shoes, because, let’s be real, nothing beats the feel of fresh grass on a ballfield.
Is that a mustache or the bill of a very pulled-down cap? Only Looie’s stylist knows for sure? (Courtesy Chattanooga Lookouts)3. Big Mo and Monty (Montgomery Biscuits)
Parent Club: Tampa Bay Rays
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Something you learn very quickly about minor league mascots is how many of them are referred to as “creatures,” because honestly, we just aren’t quite sure how to otherwise categorize them. Big Mo from the Montgomery Biscuits is no exception. The endearing mix between an aardvark and goodness, who knows what else, is best known for his love of Rays baseball and no surprise, biscuits. With an anthropomorphized buttermilk biscuit partner-in-crime named Monty as his best friend, Biscuits’ fans are sure to experience no shortage of entertainment at the ballpark.
Texas League
1. Ruckus the Sod Poodle (Amarillo Sod Poodles)
Parent Club: San Diego Padres
Joining the San Diego Padres as their Double-A affiliate in 2019, the Amarillo Sod Poodles added Ruckus, the black-tailed prairie dog to become the face of the club. The rodent stands roughly 6-foot-2 if you include his hat and his furry cheeks make up for the fact that one of his favorite pastimes includes … throwing dirt. Enjoying roots and seeds as much as he can throw down a box of Cracker Jacks, Ruckus misses baseball about as much as he enjoys getting into a little mischief.
What is a sod poodle? This thing is. (Photo by John Moore/Amarillo Sod Poodles)2. Rusty Hook & Sammy the Seagull (Corpus Christi Hooks)
Parent Club: Houston Astros
A tag-team duo represents the mascot collection for the Houston Astros’ Double-A affiliate. One half of the pair and easily the most unique, Rusty Hook is exactly that, a fish hook. A cheery face in front of his hook tail, Rusty works alongside Sammy, an easy-going seagull who sports a backward cap and both wear the Hooks’ jerseys with pride.
3. Hornsby (Tulsa Drillers)
Parent Club: Los Angeles Dodgers
Representing the Los Angeles Dodgers as their Double-A affiliate since 2015, the Tulsa Drillers welcomed a furry friend in Hornsby, the blue bull in 1996. Entertaining children at ONEOK Field, since moving from Drillers Stadium in 2009, Hornsby has placed his aspirations for running in Pamplona on hold, for the time being, focusing on polishing his skills as an entertainer and avoiding china shops at all costs.
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Triple A
International League
1. Muddy & Muddona (Toledo Mud Hens)
Parent Club: Detroit Tigers
Ever curious to find out exactly what a Mud Hen is? Well, head over to Toledo, Ohio and you may just run into Muddy and Muddona, the pair of crowd-favorites that call Fifth Third Field home since 2002. A two-time minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, Muddy made his debut in 1989 and was joined by the elegant Muddona in 2003. The big-eyed, big-hearted duo is looking forward to roaming the isles of Fifth Third whenever minor league baseball returns.
2. Lou Seal (Columbus Clippers)
Parent Club: Cleveland Indians
Serving as the Cleveland Indians’ Triple-A affiliate since 2009, Lou Seal has been along for the ride since 1994. Moving into the solo mascot role, following the retirement of Captain Clipper in 1996, the reported switch-hitting seal doesn’t let his somewhat stocky 4,000-pound frame hamper his success in the International League. Joined by Krash, a Caribbean parrot, Louis a combination of talent and a passion for Indians’ baseball.
3. Wool E. Bull (Durham Bulls)
Parent Club: Tampa Bay Rays
Inspired by the Sam the Sham classic “Wooly Bully,” the Durham Bulls introduced Wool E. Bull in his official debut in 1993 and he’s stood the mascot test of time. The towering 6-foot-6, 409-pounder touts nearly as many accolades as his organization, who feature 18 division titles and 15 league titles. Wool has been named Most Accurate T-shirt shooter in Minor League Baseball and while he’s an all-around upbeat bull, he gets fairly irritable around the color red, but we’ll give him a pass for that one.
Wool E. Bull is dangerous with a hot dog cannon. (Courtesy Durham Bulls)Pacific Coast League
1. Chico the Chihuahua (El Paso Chihuahuas)
Parent Club: San Diego Padres
Joining the Sod Poodles as a lifelong member of the San Diego Padres organization, the El Paso Chihuahuas have looked to Chico to lead the fan engagement since early on. Sporting a flashy collar and Chihuahuas jersey, Chico makes the most of his home at Southwest University Park on Ballpark Plaza. With four division titles, two conference titles and a league title, Chico hasn’t missed a beat.
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2. Orbit (Albuquerque Isotopes)
Parent Club: Colorado Rockies
There are plenty of questions surrounding the definition of what type of creature Orbit really is, but the beloved member of the Albuquerque Isotopes is as treasured as ever. The furry, celestial orange creature appears to have an ability to live up to his name at any given moment, but would much prefer to invest his time with Rockies’ fans at Rio Grande Union Field at Isotopes Park.
3. Rhubarb the Baseball Reindeer (Tacoma Rainiers)
Parent Club: Seattle Mariners
The Tacoma Rainiers have seen their share of success since their debut in the Pacific Coast League in 1960. When the club made the affiliate transition to the Seattle Mariners in 1995, the addition of Rhubarb the Reindeer … yes, Rhubarb, not Rudolph made sense. In addition to establishing himself within the Rainiers fanbase, Rhubarb has also been saddled with the challenge of often being mistaken for a moose. Handling the situation with the amount of grace you’d expect from a reindeer, Rhubarb has surfaced a true class act and a beloved member of the Rainiers’ organization.
And now the time for our winner!
Voter’s Choice: Top Mascot
Ruckus the Sod Poodle (Amarillo Sod Poodles)
Ruckus may not be a veteran on the minor-league mascot circuit, but the Amarillo fan base isn’t shy in expressing how quickly he’s become part of the family. While the rest of minor league baseball was working to educate themselves on what exactly a Sod Poodle was, Ruckus made quick work of winning over fans, both home and visiting all while proving that throwing dirt can sometimes be more charming than one would think.
[Photo of Ruckus the Sod Poodle: John Moore / Amarillo Sod Poodles]
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