The San Francisco Giants, a Major League Baseball team, have a unique and beloved mascot known as the Crazy Crab. Introduced in 1984, the Crazy Crab quickly became a fan favorite. The mascot's main purpose was to entertain and engage the crowd during games, and it certainly succeeded in doing so. The Crazy Crab was an unusual mascot, unlike any other in professional sports. It was a large crustacean with menacing eyes and sharp claws. Its body was covered in armor-like plates, giving it a fearsome appearance.
The forgotten history of Crazy Crab and 9 other Bay Area mascots
It's been 25 years since the debut of Crazy Crab, the San Francisco Giants' mascot during one of the franchise's worst seasons in its 136-year history. The character was an "anti-mascot," conceived by the Giants organization to poke fun at the rash of MLB teams that debuted mascots during the 1970s and '80s. Frank Robinson, the Giants manager at the time, appeared in a TV ad where he pretended to attack Crazy Crab.
The ploy worked — a little too well.
- MLB
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Atlanta Braves
- Baltimore Orioles
- Boston Red Sox
- Chicago Cubs
- Chicago White Sox
- Cincinnati Reds
- Cleveland Guardians
- Colorado Rockies
- Detroit Tigers
- Houston Astros
- Kansas City Royals
- Los Angeles Angels
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Miami Marlins
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Minnesota Twins
- New York Mets
- New York Yankees
- Oakland Athletics
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Pittsburgh Pirates
- San Diego Padres
- San Francisco Giants
- Seattle Mariners
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Tampa Bay Rays
- Texas Rangers
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Washington Nationals
- NBA
- Atlanta Hawks
- Boston Celtics
- Brooklyn Nets
- Charlotte Hornets
- Chicago Bulls
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Dallas Mavericks
- Denver Nuggets
- Detroit Pistons
- Golden State Warriors
- Houston Rockets
- Indiana Pacers
- Los Angeles Clippers
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Miami Heat
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- New Orleans Pelicans
- New York Knicks
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Orlando Magic
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Phoenix Suns
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Sacramento Kings
- San Antonio Spurs
- Toronto Raptors
- Utah Jazz
- Washington Wizards
- Boston College Eagles
- Clemson Tigers
- Duke Blue Devils
- Florida State Seminoles
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
- Louisville Cardinals
- Miami Hurricanes
- North Carolina State Wolfpack
- North Carolina Tar Heels
- Pitt Panthers
- Syracuse Orange
- Virginia Cavaliers
- Virginia Tech Hokies
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- Cincinnati Bearcats
- East Carolina Pirates
- Houston Cougars
- Memphis Tigers
- Navy Midshipmen
- SMU Mustangs
- South Florida Bulls
- Temple Owls
- Tulane Green Wave
- Tulsa Golden Hurricane
- UCF Knights
- Wichita State Shockers
- Baylor Bears
- Iowa State Cyclones
- Kansas Jayhawks
- Kansas State Wildcats
- Oklahoma Sooners
- Oklahoma State Cowboys
- TCU Horned Frogs
- Texas Longhorns
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
- West Virginia Mountaineers
- Butler Bulldogs
- Creighton Blue Jays
- DePaul Blue Demons
- Georgetown Hoyas
- Marquette Golden Eagles
- Providence Friars
- Seton Hall Pirates
- St Johns Red Storm
- UCONN Huskies
- Villanova Wildcats
- Xavier Musketeers
- Illinois Fighting Illini
- Indiana Hoosiers
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Maryland Terrapins
- Michigan State Spartans
- Michigan Wolverines
- Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Northwestern Wildcats
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Purdue Boilermakers
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- Wisconsin Badgers
- Charlotte 49ers
- Florida Atlantic Owls
- Florida International Golden Panthers
- Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
- Marshall Thundering Herd
- Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- North Texas Mean Green
- Old Dominion Monarchs
- Rice Owls
- Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
- UAB Blazers
- UTEP Miners
- UTSA Roadrunners
- Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
- Army Black Knights
- BYU Cougars
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Akron Zips
- Ball State Cardinals
- Bowling Green Falcons
- Buffalo Bulls
- Central Michigan Chippewas
- Eastern Michigan Eagles
- Kent State Golden Flashes
- Miami Redhawks
- Northern Illinois Huskies
- Toledo Rockets
- Western Michigan Broncos
- Bradley Braves
- Drake Bulldogs
- Evansville Purple Aces
- Illinois State Redbirds
- Indiana State Sycamores
- Loyola Ramblers
- Missouri State Bears
- Northern Iowa Panthers
- Southern Illinois Salukis
- Valparaiso Crusaders
- Air Force Falcons
- Boise State Broncos
- Colorado State Rams
- Fresno State Bulldogs
- Hawaii Warriors
- Nevada Wolfpack
- New Mexico Lobos
- San Diego State Aztecs
- San Jose State Spartans
- UNLV Rebels
- Utah State Aggies
- Wyoming Cowboys
- Arizona State Sun Devils
- Arizona Wildcats
- Cal Golden Bears
- Colorado Buffaloes
- Oregon Ducks
- Oregon State Beavers
- Stanford Cardinal
- UCLA Bruins
- USC Trojans
- Utah Utes
- Washington Huskies
- Washington State Cougars
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Arkansas Razorbacks
- Auburn Tigers
- Florida Gators
- Georgia Bulldogs
- Kentucky Wildcats
- LSU Tigers
- Mississippi Rebels
- Mississippi State Bulldogs
- Missouri Tigers
- South Carolina Gamecocks
- Tennessee Volunteers
- Texas A&M Aggies
- Vanderbilt Commodores
- Appalachian State Mountaineers
- Arkansas State Red Wolves
- Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans
- Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
- Georgia Southern Eagles
- Georgia State Panthers
- Idaho Vandals
- Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns
- Louisiana Monroe Warhawks
- New Mexico State Aggies
- South Alabama Jaguars
- Texas State Bobcats
- Troy Trojans
- UT-Arlington Mavericks
- Gonzaga Bulldogs
- Loyola Marymount Lions
- Pacific Tigers
- Pepperdine Waves
- Portland Pilots
- Saint Marys Gaels
- San Diego Toreros
- San Francisco Dons
- Santa Clara Broncos
- NFL
- Arizona Cardinals
- Atlanta Falcons
- Baltimore Ravens
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Chicago Bears
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Cleveland Browns
- Dallas Cowboys
- Denver Broncos
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Miami Dolphins
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints
- New York Giants
- New York Jets
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- San Francisco 49ers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tennessee Titans
- Washington Commanders
- NHL
- Anaheim Ducks
- Arizona Coyotes
- Boston Bruins
- Buffalo Sabres
- Calgary Flames
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Colorado Avalanche
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Dallas Stars
- Detroit Red Wings
- Edmonton Oilers
- Florida Panthers
- Los Angeles Kings
- Minnesota Wild
- Montreal Canadiens
- Nashville Predators
- New Jersey Devils
- New York Islanders
- New York Rangers
- Ottawa Senators
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- San Jose Sharks
- St. Louis Blues
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Vancouver Canucks
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Washington Capitals
- Winnipeg Jets
- Atlanta United
- Chicago Fire
- Colorado Rapids
- Columbus Crew
- DC United
- FC Dallas
- Houston Dynamo
- Los Angeles Galaxy
- Minnesota United
- Montreal Impact
- New England Revolution
- New York City FC
- New York Red Bulls
- Orlando City SC
- Philadelphia Union
- Portland Timbers
- Real Salt Lake
- San Jose Earthquakes
- Seattle Sounders
- Sporting KC
- Toronto FC
- Vancouver Whitecaps
- United States
- United States Women
Crazy Crab, a 1984 San Francisco Giants mascot who.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Crazy Crab, a 1984 San Francisco Giants mascot who became the target of abuse from fans and players, is suing the San Diego Padres because one of their players tackled him during a game.
Wayne Doba, who wore extra padding to soften the impact of objects thrown from the stands, said in a lawsuit filed this week in Superior Court that an unidentified Padre player injured him Sept. 24 by 'grabbing him from behind, throwing him to the ground and brutally beating him.'
AdvertisementDoba, a 35-year-old actor, was not rehired by the Giants for the 1985 season. He has asked for unspecified damages.
He said he suffered back injuries which kept him out of the last two games of the 1984 season and incapacitated him for a month.
'I don't think the players have a right to treat a mascot like that,' he said.
Duffy Jennings, a spokesman for the Giants, said the incident was 'playful' and added he was not aware Doba was injured.
San Francisco marketing agents John Crawford and Gary Freeman came up with the Crazy Crab gag and the mascot was introduced in a March 1984 television advertisement.
AdvertisementHe was shown being booed by fans, underscoring the commercial's theme that Giants fans were different 'in that they prefer good, solid baseball without the frills you experience in other stadiums, such as mascots.'
Jennings said the gimmick worked and, when Craby Crab made his Candlestick Park debut in April 1984, 'he was booed lustily.'
San Francisco Giants Crazy Crab Minimalist MLB Mascots Collection 12 x 12 Fine Art Print by artist S. Preston
This Minimalist Baseball Mascots Collection art print is the solution for that team fan in your life who also values design. Time and again, buyers of Preston's art comment on its ability to be appreciated outside the confines of the locker room: in offices, bedrooms and even living rooms of baseball fans with a keen eye for attractive wall art. His minimalist baseball park series has often been called "wife approved, and sought after by female fans as a way to show support for their favorite teams and the parks they play in.
- Digital archival print on enhance matte art paper
- Measures 14" x 20"
- MLB Licensed
- Print is shipped rolled
- MANUFACTURER DIRECT ITEM - NOT ELIGIBLE FOR EXPEDITED SHIPPING
- Please allow 10-15 business days for delivery
About the artist:
S. Preston (b. 1972) is a former sports broadcaster turned graphic artist, who has turned his love of sports and his talent for art into a full-time business and career. "I try every day to change the way sports and art collide," says Preston.
His creative sports art has been recognized by the leaders in sports and has become internationally acclaimed for his clean and clever artwork. He has been published in ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today and many other notable publications and media.
S. Preston is a licensed artist for the MLB, NHL, NFL, NBA, NCAA, Star Wars, Looney Tunes and many more.
S. Preston's artwork was added to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016 and is a lifetime member.
Player BiographyIts body was covered in armor-like plates, giving it a fearsome appearance. Despite its intimidating look, the Crazy Crab was a friendly character who loved to interact with the fans. One of the highlights of the Crazy Crab's performances was when it would engage in playful antics with the Giants' players.
Details
This Minimalist Baseball Mascots Collection art print is the solution for that team fan in your life who also values design. Time and again, buyers of Preston's art comment on its ability to be appreciated outside the confines of the locker room: in offices, bedrooms and even living rooms of baseball fans with a keen eye for attractive wall art. His minimalist baseball park series has often been called "wife approved, and sought after by female fans as a way to show support for their favorite teams and the parks they play in.
- Digital archival print on enhance matte art paper
- Measures 14" x 20"
- MLB Licensed
- Print is shipped rolled
- MANUFACTURER DIRECT ITEM - NOT ELIGIBLE FOR EXPEDITED SHIPPING
- Please allow 10-15 business days for delivery
About the artist:
S. Preston (b. 1972) is a former sports broadcaster turned graphic artist, who has turned his love of sports and his talent for art into a full-time business and career. "I try every day to change the way sports and art collide," says Preston.
His creative sports art has been recognized by the leaders in sports and has become internationally acclaimed for his clean and clever artwork. He has been published in ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today and many other notable publications and media.
S. Preston is a licensed artist for the MLB, NHL, NFL, NBA, NCAA, Star Wars, Looney Tunes and many more.
S. Preston's artwork was added to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016 and is a lifetime member.
It would often prank them by spraying silly string or water, resulting in laughter from both the players and the crowd. The mascot's energy and enthusiasm were contagious, creating a fun and lively atmosphere at the games. The Crazy Crab's popularity even extended beyond the ballpark. It became a symbol of the underdog and the fighting spirit of the Giants. The team at the time was struggling and not performing well on the field, but the Crazy Crab became a source of joy and a rallying point for the fans. Its presence reminded everyone to have fun and enjoy the game regardless of the team's record. Unfortunately, the Crazy Crab's tenure as the Giants' mascot was short-lived. It was met with mixed reactions, with some fans loving its antics and others finding it distracting. The mascot was eventually retired after just one season. However, its legacy lives on, and it is remembered fondly by Giants fans. In recent years, the Crazy Crab has made occasional appearances at Giants games, bringing back memories of its entertaining performances. It serves as a reminder of a unique era in the team's history and continues to be an endearing symbol of the Giants' spirit and resilience. In conclusion, the Crazy Crab was a one-of-a-kind mascot that brought joy and laughter to fans of the San Francisco Giants. Its playful antics and interactions with players made it a beloved figure, despite its short time as the team's mascot. The Crazy Crab's legacy lives on, reminding everyone to embrace the fun and spirit of the game..
Reviews for "The Crazy Crab Mascot: An Unconventional Choice for the San Francisco Giants"
1. John - 1 star
The San Francisco Giants mascots crazy crab was an absolute disaster. It was annoying, obnoxious, and had no place during a baseball game. Every time it appeared, it distracted from the game and disrupted the flow of the players. It felt like a desperate attempt to entertain the fans and failed miserably. I hope they retire this mascot and focus on the actual game instead.
2. Lisa - 2 stars
I really didn't enjoy the San Francisco Giants mascots crazy crab. It was just too over-the-top and forced. The constant appearances and antics during the game were too much and took away from the actual baseball experience. Plus, the crab costume itself was not visually appealing or cute. I would much rather watch a game without this distracting mascot.
3. Mike - 1 star
The crazy crab mascot for the San Francisco Giants was a nightmare. It added nothing to the game and only served as a annoying distraction. It felt like the organizers were trying too hard to make the game more entertaining, but they missed the mark completely. The crab costume was tacky and the whole concept was just unnecessary. It's time to retire this mascot and let the players and the game take center stage.
4. Sarah - 2 stars
I was not a fan of the San Francisco Giants mascots crazy crab. It felt out of place and unnecessary. The constant appearances and shenanigans took away from the actual game and made it hard to focus. It seemed like a desperate attempt to entertain the crowd rather than letting the sport speak for itself. I would much rather see the team focus on improving their performance rather than relying on gimmicky mascots.