On the Dodgers web site on Monday Ken Gurnick posted an article, “Lasorda vs. Phanatic and funniest LA moments”. It immediately brought back the memory of an article I posted on Think Blue LA on March 19, 2014. That article was prompted by a video of Mark Monninger, the Dodgers Rally Bear. I watched the video that accompanied the article and certainly enjoyed the performance as apparently did the fans around the mascot before he was removed by the security people. I should make it clear from the beginning that I didn’t approve of his sneak attack but was also appalled at his punishment.
Here is that article with a few additions at the end of the post.
Mark Monninger had previously worked for five years as “Tremor,” the much renowned and beloved mascot with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, the Dodgers High-A affiliate in the California League. He has tried to persuade both the Dodgers and Angels to hire him as a mascot. They refused so he decided to do it on his own. Either by direct communication or going rogue, he did not convince the Dodgers or the Angels to change their “no mascot” policy. In the end, to escape arrest, he signed a statement that he would not come back to Dodger Stadium for six months. I understand the top of the dugout rule and no covering the face rule but six months surprised me. Do fans who get drunk and are obnoxious to the point of being removed get banned from Dodger Stadium for six months? Perhaps they do.
His performance and the fan reaction again gives rise to the question – should the Dodgers have a mascot? Before the Expos left Montreal our son and I made several trips to Montreal to see the Expos play. We actually spend as much time driving there and home as we did while we were there. Unfortunately, we didn’t see the Dodgers play but nevertheless enjoyed the baseball atmosphere and games. Besides the game, the food and the fanfare, we enjoyed Youppi! – the Montreal Expos mascot (the exclamation point is his jersey number). He was not new to us as he began his career as a mascot with the Expos in 1979 but until our visits, we had only seen glimpses of Youppi! in small segments on TV. Between innings and other stoppages in the game, he went full out to keep the crowd engaged.
I might add that Youppi! had a Dodger connection. He was the first mascot to be thrown out of a Major League Baseball game. On August 23, 1989, in the 11th inning, while atop the visitors’ dugout, Youppi! took a running leap, landing hard and noisily on its roof, and then snuck into a front-row seat. The manager of that team complained to the umpire and Youppi! was ejected from the game. Any guesses who that manager was? The Dodger connection kind of gave it away. It was none other than our own Tommy Lasorda.
Youppi! and Tommy Lasorda have another connection – they are both in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Youppi! is often referred to as one of only three mascots inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The other two are the Phillie Phanatic and the San Diego Chicken. Actually, although their likenesses can be found in displays in the HOF, they have never been officially inducted into the famed institution. Youppi! is now the mascot of the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League.
So – back to the question. Most National League Hockey teams, National Football League teams, and National Basketball League teams have mascots. In Major League baseball only the Dodgers, Yankees, and Angels do not have mascots.
Why is it these three teams have no mascots and more specifically the Dodgers and Angels? Can it be that the fans of these teams are more sophisticated or more engaged in the game than other fans? In the land of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and the Charlie Brown characters, how could a mascot possibly be out of place? I expect those characters are there for the kids although in our visits to Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm my wife and I certainly enjoyed them along with our children.
Baseball teams try very hard to entertain the kids as well as their parents. Children run the bases, throw baseballs, have playground areas, have kid-size treats and yes – mascots to entertain them. Keeping the children interested in coming back to the games is a major part of the mascot’s work, and it is hard work.
David Raymond, who was the Phillie Phanatic for seventeen years, now operates the Raymond Entertainment Group based in Newark, Delaware. His company consults with sports teams on how to make the fan experience more fun. “More and more people in sports have come to understand the depth and breadth of what we call ‘character branding,’” Raymond said. “Your mascot is a living, breathing brand extension. This ought to be our most important marketing tool, a chance to make our message memorable to our fans or our customers without sounding like we’re selling something to them.”
Some may think that the mascot is a passing fad. If so, it is a long-lasting fad started in 1964 when the New York Mets began play in Shea Stadium with the first MLB mascot – Mr. Met. I expect it is Dodger heresy to mention the hated Giants but there is one thing admirable about that team. Their mascot, Joel Zimei, has yet to miss a single game — after some 1,700 games consecutive home games as “Lou Seal”. He is the Cal Ripkin of mascots never having been on the DL. He is a “ Beloved figure at AT&T Park who rides around the field on a little scooter, performs atop the dugout and pops up everywhere from the outfield bleachers to corporate suites to trade high fives with Giants fans.” For his efforts he has three World Series rings.
I expect all Dodger fans remember Tommy Lasorda’s encounter with the Phillie Phanatic on July 28, 1988. The famed Phillie Phanatic had brought out a dummy dressed in a blue jersey with Tommy’s name printed on the back. He started thrashing it about. Unable to take any more Tommy chased the Phanatic, took away the dummy and knocked the Phanatic over. Now don’t tell me that isn’t funny. If you are at spring training I dare you to ask Tommy if that was staged.
The Dodgers really came close to having a mascot back on April 9, 2014, or so it seemed. Over that weekend in their home-opening series against the San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers unleashed a live bobblehead on the stadium. While the human bobblehead strongly resembled that which most would consider a mascot, Dodgers current executive vice president of marketing, Lon Rosen, told the Los Angeles Times, “It’s not a mascot. It’s a unique performance character.”A performance character, now that is funny.
He was not allowed on the field or to dance on dugouts or any of the other things a traditional mascot is normally seen doing during a game. It had no name. It had no gender. IT was found roaming the concourses taking photos with fans.
The Dodgers, Yankees, and Angels continue to be the only MLB teams that have gone mascot less, although the Yankees had a short misadventure with “Dandy” as their mascot in 1979. Organizations such as Sports Illustrated have actually ranked the team mascots. In most rankings, the Phillie Phanatic has claimed the top spot. Mr. Met, now joined by Mrs. Met since 20123, also ranks very highly. The Cincinnati Reds have a team of four mascots including Rosie Red.
The question of the day is: When does the Dodgers mascot “Blue” begin his training exercises for the upcoming season? As Skip Schumaker said after the impromptu “Rally Bear” visit: “I think it’s all about having fun for the kids. Who doesn’t like a mascot? It would be great for any team.” I’m with Skip.
Great idea! The best mascot I have ever seen is Boomer, with the Indiana Pacers:
From an OLD Dodgers fan. There is only one “mascot” that should be considered by the Dodgers — the old Brooklyn Bum. Beloved by Dodgers fans, he was depicted on many Dodgers year books in the 50’s. Los Angeles may be too sophisticated to have a bum for a mascot, or the term “bum” may not be politically correct, but any other attempt at a mascot would be futile.
I like it, I think.
Wiki User May 20, 2008
“A cartoonist named Willard Mullin created a cartoon character called the ‘Brooklyn Bum’ in the 1930s. The cartoon became synomymous with the Dodgers and the working class makeup of Brooklyn.”
They started out as the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers. The name comes from so many trolley tracks in the city of Brooklyn that people were dodging and it was a popular nickname for people who lived there. It was later shortened to Dodgers.
I love that the Dodgers came to LA from Brooklyn and I love the Dodger history. But, I wonder if the Milwaukee Brewers’ fans have any warm feelings for the Seattle Pilots. At what point would a team look for a mascot that reflects the city the team is currently in and not the city where they used to be.
thanks for the info on Willard Mullin; interesting. I don’t think a comparison of Brewers / Pilots to the Dodgers is valid. Teams like Dodgers, Giants, Yankees, Cardinals, etc. are icons in the game and their rich history goes with them wherever they may play. I took my sons to many games (both Angels and Dodgers) when they were growing up and they loved going to the game, during which we talked about hitters, pitchers, defensive plays, etc., and of course enjoyed Dodger Dogs, frozen malts, peanuts, and soft drinks. On the way home we would listen to Vin Scully post game comments. The tradition has continued as they all have kids of their own, and a highlight is being able to take them to a Dodger game — and no one complains that there isn’t a mascot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HBQFjoqDYE
Mascot for the Dodgers, No
I hate sports mascots.
Craig Calcaterra had this to say about the Dodgers yesterday:
“There are a lot of useless things in the world.
Screen doors on submarines. Ejector seats on helicopters. But I’m struggling to think of one thing more useless than hot stove rumors in which a team is said to be interested in so-and-so a player but “only at the right price” or “only if the budget will allow” or words to that effect.
In related news, here’s a thing that Jon Heyman is saying about the Los Angeles Dodgers:
“Dodgers are looking at Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon. But while they can afford to go big, word is that they have set valuations for each star and intend to stay disciplined.”
I’ve been in the baseball news-churning business for a long dang time now, and I can remember back when this was the sort of thing that would make people talk a lot. But it really says nothing, right? At most it says “[Baseball Team] likes good baseball players but is unwilling to pay market price for said baseball players, even though they can totally afford it.””
Most of the time when I go to the store to buy something, I try to get a good deal. But, every once in a while, I find something that I think is rare, one of a kind, special and I’ll pay full price for that item. That’s how free agents should be shopped for. Most of the time you go out and get good deals, but every now and then, you pay full price for that special piece.
Speaking of screen doors on submarines. The Dodgers don’t need a mascot. I love beach balls at the stadium. Although, I’ve never brought one in myself.
One more thing about stadium experience. We’re so very lucky to have Deiter Rule especially after having Nancy B for so long. A great organist is a must, and Deiter is the best!
“No” to a Dodger mascot (although the Phillie Phanatic and the SD Chicken always put a smile on my face).
Ditto on the — Mascot for the Dodgers, No —
Although I hesitated awhile on the Brooklyn Bum…
If a mascot would guarantee no beach balls at Dodger Stadium., I’m all for it, Otherwise no. I also agree with SoCalBum, the Brooklyn Bum would be great, if they did have one.
For many of us, dare I say, seasoned veteran gentlemen and ladies, we grew up with transistor radios, and our baseball players were our heroes. There were no mascots. After all, we had doubleheaders to look forward to. I have been to well over 1,500 MiLB games and most of them had mascots. Mascots are great for the kids. Kids relate to them. In Sacramento the mascot, Dinger, is the most well known River Cat, because he is the one constant. He is fun. He keeps the kids entertained between innings. More kids go to promos where Dinger is present, much more often than with players that may change next week.
I am a baseball fanatic, and was originally against the allowance of mascots until I saw the San Diego Chicken. He was hilarious and kept me entertained. My boys, who loved baseball, wanted to go to another San Diego game because of the Chicken. It did not diminish their love of the game, it just kept them entertained while we sweated out whether the Dodgers would win or not.
Have we become so jaded that we are now more enamored with getting a computer to call balls and strikes because of the ineptness of the home plate umpire, more than seeing a smile on a kids face because he/she got to interface with a team’s mascot? The home plate umpire is not more inept today, we just have the tools to point it out to them.
The DH is not for the baseball purist any more than the mascot, but it is here to stay because it is deemed more entertaining than the strategy that goes with keeping the pitcher in to bat. The game has changed quite a bit in the 60+ years that I have been a fan. Some for the better, and some not so much. But what has not changed is that Baseball is still a game to be enjoyed, if not as a participant, then as a spectator.
With all of the distractions and entertainment choices available to kids today, I am all for anything that will allow kids to grow up loving the game that I did with a transistor radio. If it takes a mascot to bring kids to the ballpark, I am all for it. It will not take away from the game between the lines for me. I still keep score the way I learned in the 60’s, but I like a good laugh between innings. Mascots do not hurt the game as does cheating and gambling.
My feelings exactly. I love minor league ball and what they do to keep kids involved. Needless to say my favorite mascots are Lou E.Loon and Rall E. Camel with the Loons. I love the “Chicken Dance” played at minor league games.
Cheating, gambling, HGH’s, steroids, insane contracts, rising prices for fans, etc. all hurt the game but simple things such as a mascot can only make it more enjoyable for spectators, young and old, which they do in 27 MLB stadiums.
Dinger is also the mascot for the Rockies.
As usual AC, you’ve got it right. I’m for anything that helps the kids enjoy the game more and if it’s a really good mascot (Phillie Phanatic, SD Chicken, Tremor) the adults can enjoy it also.
I vote yes on a mascot, but since we’re here in Hollywood, we’d better make sure it’s a good one. Let’s put the costume designers and comedy writers in a room and see what they come up with.
Please, no cheerleaders.
The Indianapolis Indians have always had a mascot and he spends 90% of his time in the stands making kids of all ages happy. I think it’s silly and very short-sighted not to have something like this for any team:
Obviously the mascot we should have is a big wiener called Mr. Dodger Dog …….with or without the bun.
A mascot is an incredible marketing tool geared to the young and the young at heart.
Here’s how it works:
1. The mascot is there when the doors open and is the last one out.
2. He greets people coming in and rubs shoulders with them in the stands all through the game.
3. Kids want to come to the game to see “Blue”.
4. If Blue works 5 hours a night he might feel like he works 12 hours.
5. This leads to parties with Blue for kids that are Dodger themed. In short order, there might have to be 5 Blues to handle all the requests.
6. This is an incredible brand-building and marketing opportunity and it’s incomprehensible to me that the Dodgers do not have a mascot.
7. it’s also a source of great joy for the youngsters.
8. His name should be BLUE!
9. You would not believe how many photos will be taken with him.
I appreciate your enthusiasm but would you be willing to move back to California?
What do you mean “back?”
I thought you once lived in CA. Oh well, cross out ‘back’.
Never has been my residence, but I have been there 100’s of times.
So sad.
When I was in grade school my parents took me to an Ice Capades show and there could not have been enough clowns on the ice.
I don’t think I want someone in a big costume blocking my view of the game but get past that and I am all for more kids wanting to go top games and having fun.
Another article discussing Betts to LA:
https://sports.yahoo.com/dodgers-prospects-trade-red-sox-044317566.html
So, two from Verdugo, Downs, Ruiz, Gonsolin, Gray?
If Verdugo is not included the outfield will have Betts, Bellinger, Pederson, Verdugo, Pollock, and sometimes Taylor and Hernandez.
Provided we can extend Betts, I’d definitely send Verdugo and Ruiz to Boston
But knowing the reason Boston would trade him is because of salary constraints, and that we’d have to pay Betts a ton, we shouldn’t have to overpay in prospects in any deal.
I don’t think Verdugo will be part of that deal (if it is a deal). Maybe Lux!
No to the mascot. Isn’t there enough entertainment between innings at Dodger stadium? Its freaking Los Angeles. The antics of many of those in attendance should be enough to keep fans’ minds from wandering.
But what about the next generation? The 4 and 5 and 6 year-olds?
MLB has already lost 1 or 2 generations….