Baseball mascot races have become a popular and exciting tradition in baseball games across the United States. These races occur during inning breaks, typically the middle of the seventh inning, to entertain and engage the crowd. The races feature a variety of mascots representing different teams or organizations who race against each other in a fun-filled sprint. The mascots usually wear costumes that reflect their team or organization, adding an element of team spirit to the races. The races often take place on the field, either along the baselines, outfield, or behind home plate. The mascots line up and eagerly await the starting signal, which can range from a horn or a gun to a simple "go!" from the announcer.
Milwaukee's Racing Sausages Started A Trend At Major League Ballparks
Nearly two-thirds of Major League Baseball teams have had some form of mascot race. It all began with the Milwaukee Brewers' Racing Sausages in the early 1990s.
RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:
Now we're going to hear the origin story of one of baseball's weirder traditions. It was born over a quarter century ago, when the Milwaukee Brewers debuted their racing sausages. Today, nearly two-thirds of baseball teams have their own racing mascots. Joy Powers of member station WUWM in Milwaukee has the story.
JOY POWERS, BYLINE: In the early '90s, the Milwaukee Brewers' Racing Sausages were cartoon characters that raced in a video on the Jumbotron. Like other fans, graphic designer Michael Dillon would cheer along for his favorite sausage in the animated race. But that wasn't enough for him, so he pitched his idea to a Brewers executive.
MICHAEL DILLON: I said you should have them run in. I lobbied really hard. I'll make them. I'll run in them. You won't have to do anything. I'll bring them there.
POWERS: And so he did just that. Armed with foam core and his design expertise, he created the first three costumes based on the cartoon. In 1993, he put on his homemade brat costume and lined up alongside his competitors, Polish and Italian.
DILLON: Absolutely no one knew that this was going to happen, except possibly some grounds people. The Brewers themselves, the umpire didn't know. They started that sausage race on the Jumbotron, and then the cartoon stopped and went blank, and the gate swung open, and the crowd went insane.
POWERS: The special event became a regular part of the game a year later. In most mascot races, a group of costumed people lumber around a baseball field, seeing who can remain upright long enough to win. They're a silly distraction. And for some fans, like Diana Cook, they might as well not be there.
DIANA COOK: Given that I haven't really noticed that there are, like, mascot races, I don't place much value on them.
POWERS: But many others do. The races include caricatures of presidents in D.C., a tool race in Atlanta and the grand pierogi race in Pittsburgh. And many of these spinoffs originate in Milwaukee, too. The Olympus Group is a mascot manufacturer based in the city, which designs costumes for teams around the country. Mary Ribecky is one of the designers.
MARY RIBECKY: For Major League, we also do the Kansas City Royal hot dogs. But when you get into the minor leagues, that's where - all kinds of crazy things. We're racing jalapeno peppers, blue cheese hot wing and a celery stick. It's a lot of fun.
POWERS: But for designer Michael Dillon, these other races just don't measure up.
DILLON: They got the running pierogis, which is, like, running dumplings, really. I mean, the running presidential heads look ridiculous. I don't know if they still have the one where, like, there's a tooth and a toothbrush and toothpaste running. You know, it's just not fun. I mean, I'm not going to root for a tooth.
POWERS: This from a guy who cheers on a bratwurst wearing lederhosen. In the 25 years since the racing sausages became a staple of Brewers home games, the mascot race has become a tradition for baseball fans everywhere. And as fans cheer on Toothy in the Comfort Dental Tooth Trot, Michael Dillon can take pride in knowing he's partly to blame for this iconic piece of baseball Americana.
For NPR News, I'm Joy Powers, in Milwaukee.
(SOUNDBITE OF A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS' "I RAN (SO FAR AWAY)")
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Off to the Races
This photograph captures the heat of competition, as Rickey Henderson takes the inside lane and looks to gallop away from Rollie Fingers and Dennis Eckersley during the seventh-inning stretch of the game between the Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox at O.co Coliseum on May 13, 2015. Each home game in Oakland features the three mascots trotting down the third base line before they round the on-base circle and bolt down the final stretch toward the finish.
Why should the ballplayers have all of the glory?
Mascots of Rickey Henderson, Dennis Eckersley and Rollie Fingers run in the Oakland Athletics’ Hall of Fame race during the game between the Athletics and the Boston Red Sox at O.co Coliseum on May 13, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. (Jean Fruth / National Baseball Hall of Fame)
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The three larger-than-life Oakland Hall of Famers are just some of the more recent characters to join the mascot race phenomenon that has taken over Major League Baseball. Fingers, Eckersley, and Henderson joined the company of pierogis, sea creatures, hardware tools, soft drinks, hot sauce packets, U.S. presidents, and, of course, the famous Milwaukee sausages who all race around ballparks for the amusement and entertainment of fans.
While it is all fun and games, for the most part, these casts of characters have truly broken the mold of the traditional mascot. While they still spend plenty of time hovering in the stands and posing for silly photos, mascots across baseball have become more physically active than ever in how they entertain spectators.
Oakland’s inaugural Hall of Fame race was held on August 3, 2013, and was won by none other than the speedy Rickey Henderson. While it may seem like a no-brainer to put your money on the all-time stolen base leader, it turns out that baseball statistics mean very little when it comes to three people sprinting 250 yards in 10-foot-tall, 50-pound costumes. The mascots combat physical exhaustion, lack of visibility, profuse sweating, rowdy hecklers, and most importantly, the fear and embarrassment of toppling over.
Life as a racing mascot may not always be the easiest, but nothing can match the glory of outlasting your fellow mascots and being the one to claim victory.
The flamboyant costume from the popular Phillie Phanatic mascot is on display in the Museum's Sacred Ground exhibit which details the ballpark and fan experience. B-123-2002 (Milo Stewart, Jr. / National Baseball Hall of Fame)
Mascot
A sports mascot is a character (usually wearing a costume, though sometimes a live animal or person in minimal costume) who is designed to interact with and entertain fans at games and other team events. In earlier days of baseball, teams often used small children as their mascots.
The era of cartoon-like mascots took off at the end of the 1970s, when the San Diego Chicken became a national star, and a number of now iconic mascots were introduced in short order, notably the Phillie Phanatic, the Pirate Parrot and Youppi! Others have followed, not all so successful. However, there are older mascots still around, such as Mr. Met, who has been around as long as the team he encourages. Mascots are also highly popular in Japan and in the minor leagues.
A popular attraction at many ballparks is a mascot race. This takes the form of a race between characters, normally four, dressed in silly costumes reflecting local culture. The race usually takes place between innings, and fans can make friendly wagers on the winner - although they should know that not everything is on the up-and-up. These races are usually closer to what happens in a cartoon race, with participants tripping each other, running in the wrong direction, and so on. The first of these was the sausage race at Milwaukee Brewers games at Miller Park, soon followed by the "Great Pierogi Race" at Pittsburgh Pirates games at PNC Park (a pierogi being a dumpling of Eastern European origin that is popular in Western Pennsylvania and other places). The Washington Nationals have the Racing Presidents and the San Diego Padres feature four characters from the cult comedy "Anchorman" racing one other at Petco Park. The Nationals even stage the race in spring training games, where "second-tier" presidents, not quite ready for prime time, get to race.
This typical American tradition was brought to Europe for the first time during the two-game series between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees at London Olympic Stadium on June 29-30, 2019. As neither team regularly features such a race at its games, four mascots were specially designed for the occasion, supposedly reflecting British history and culture: they were King Henry VIII, Winston Churchill, rock singer Freddie Mercury, and in a piece of brilliant absurdity, the Loch Ness Monster. Freddie won the initial race.
In the minor leagues, mascots often race around the bases against little kids selected from the attendance. Somehow, the mascots always seem to lose those races, no matter how young and slow their opponents are. Tripping on one's own shoelaces or being distracted by shiny objects seem to be common problems that hamper these mascots' sporting performance.
One of the unforeseen results of the coronavirus pandemic was that, according to the health and safety protocols, even though mascots were still allowed "under no circumstances are mascots permitted on the field of play or in any other Restricted Area on game days." Given most of the characters' routines involved being on the field or interacting with now absent fans, it sort of cramped their style, although some of them unleashed their creavity despite the circumstances. The Phillie Phanatic made it a point to perform outlandish physical comedy routines while interacting with some of the cardboard fans in the stands, just within camera range, while the Atlanta Braves mascot, Blooper, put on lavish costumes to perform slow-burn gags out in the deserted stands of his home ballpark.
The mascots line up and eagerly await the starting signal, which can range from a horn or a gun to a simple "go!" from the announcer. As the race begins, the mascots dash towards the finish line, cheered on by the spectators. The races are often accompanied by lively music and animated commentary, which adds to the overall excitement and atmosphere in the stadium.
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For a partial list of mascots, see this list
These races have gained immense popularity, as they provide a break from the intensity of the game while bringing a sense of humor and entertainment to the spectators. The mascots' playful antics and competitive spirit make the races amusing and enjoyable for both children and adults. The races are not only entertaining, but they also serve as a way to promote the mascots and their respective teams or organizations. They help build brand recognition and engage the audience with the mascots' characters, boosting fan loyalty and support. In recent years, some teams have even taken the mascot races a step further by incorporating storylines or themes into the races. For example, mascots representing rival teams may engage in playful banter or pranks during the race. This adds an element of drama and anticipation to the races, making them even more captivating for the spectators. Overall, baseball mascot races have become an integral part of the game-day experience. They provide a lighthearted and entertaining break from the on-field action and create lasting memories for fans. Whether it's watching their favorite team's mascot race or getting a laugh out of a clever costume or stunt, spectators always look forward to the excitement of baseball mascot races..
Reviews for "The Role of Comedy in Baseball Mascot Races: Why Laughter Is the Best Medicine"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars: The baseball mascot races were a complete waste of time. Instead of watching players showcase their athletic skills, we were forced to watch grown adults dressed up in ridiculous costumes run around the field. It was embarrassing and not at all entertaining. I would have much rather seen the actual players play the game than watch these mascot races.
2. John - 1/5 stars: The baseball mascot races were a pathetic attempt to entertain the crowd. It felt like a desperate ploy to distract fans from the fact that the game itself was boring. The costumes were cheesy and the race itself lacked any real excitement. It's ridiculous that they prioritize these gimmicks over improving the overall fan experience.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars: I found the baseball mascot races to be incredibly distracting. Instead of focusing on the game and cheering for my team, I was forced to watch these mascots stumble around the field and take away from the actual sport. It was a waste of time and I would have much preferred if they had invested that energy into improving the overall stadium atmosphere.
4. Mike - 2/5 stars: The baseball mascot races were a disappointment. It felt like a cheap attempt to amuse the crowd rather than focusing on the quality of the game. The races were predictable and lacked any real excitement. I would have preferred if they had invested more in creating a lively atmosphere through fan engagement and interactive activities. The mascot races just didn't cut it for me.