The San Francisco Giants mascot, Lou Seal, has been a beloved character at the team's games since 1996. Lou Seal is a friendly and energetic anthropomorphic seal who entertains fans and adds to the excitement of the games. Lou Seal's primary role is to interact with fans and create a fun and lively atmosphere at the ballpark. He can often be found dancing on top of the Giants' dugout during breaks in the game, encouraging fans to cheer and show their support for the team. Lou Seal's energetic personality and playful antics make him a favorite among both children and adults. In addition to his on-field presence, Lou Seal also participates in community events and charitable activities.
Giants' Lou Seal Mascot Wraps Up 13th Year With Team
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) - Joel Zimei exhibits what can only be considered a mascot swagger.
No matter that almost nobody knows his real name, save for those behind the scenes with the San Francisco Giants. To the masses, he is the beloved Lou Seal. The mascot bounces around the ballpark, dances on the dugout and poses for photos. He signs autographs, too.
And Lou Seal is riding quite the impressive streak. As the reigning World Series champions wrap up their season Wednesday, it will mark Zimei's 1,054th consecutive home game—a Cal Ripken-like record in his costume-wearing world. That's 13 straight seasons, spanning the final days at Candlestick Park to the present in the Giants' picturesque waterfront spot.
How has he pulled off this remarkable run while balancing life as a husband, homeowner and soon-to-be first-time father?
"Stubbornness and determination," Zimei said while hurriedly getting ready for Monday night's game against the Colorado Rockies. "That's 13 straight seasons without missing a game."
Yet Zimei has lost track of his streak. He knows June 8 marked 1,000 straight home games—the team honored him with a banner that day.
After that, Zimei has to make a quick count on the magnetic schedule stuck to the door of the "Seal Cave," his locker room. It's an approximately 12-foot-by-12-foot closet where he transforms himself into San Francisco's Lou Seal simply by pulling on that larger-than-life fluffy gray seal suit.
Virtually anonymous—the way he prefers it—instincts take over once Zimei gets dressed.
"It's almost automatic, no matter how I'm feeling," Zimei said. "It's like hitting an involuntary switch and I just become Lou. After 13 years, sooner or later, it just blends."
On this night, he apologizes for the McDonald's garbage on the floor. He swears it's the first time in six months he has eaten fast-food for his pregame meal.
Sometimes, there's no choice because of the time crunch. He also needs his fuel considering how active he is each night and it's typically 45 degrees warmer inside his suit than it is outside.
Zimei has had some close calls along the way keeping his streak alive.
He once drove through the night from Reno, Nev., to make it back from vacation just in time for a day game after his flight from Denver to San Francisco got canceled.
He told his wife, Sierra, he couldn't miss the game.
"This is my full-time gig," said Zimei, who is aided with all
aspects of his operation by assistant Anthony Pava. "It's the longest streak. All of us are pretty good friends. NFL guys, good luck catching me. You'd have to have a 100-year run to get close."
Zimei became Luigi Francisco Seal in 1999. He has his own magnets, World Series pictures that he autographs, even business cards with his real name and that of Lou Seal.
He's "5-foot-9-something" as he puts it and 170 pounds. In costume, Zimei stands 6-2.
Just like all the ballplayers he cheers, Zimei remembers his callup to the big leagues as if it were yesterday.
A college student in criminal justice at the time, he became a mascot by accident.
Zimei took a job working for Philadelphia's Triple-A Scranton club when he got the chance to help out the Phillies mascot during the 1998 season. That offseason, he wrote to most of the major league clubs and discovered the Giants, Mets and Red Sox all were holding mascot auditions.
"I didn't want to be a Red Sox, I didn't want to be a Met. My grandfather was a huge, huge Willie Mays fan back in the Willie Mays New York Giants days," Zimei said. "I figured it would be fun to get off the East Coast, come out here and check out California, and I've been here ever since."
In the winter, Zimei works for the NBA's Golden State Warriors across the bay in Oakland.
Though he doesn't give his body much of a break, he has never been on the mascot disabled list.
"Fortunately the injuries I have had I've been able to work through," he said. "I broke my right hand the last day of the season in 2004 because I was a sore loser and punched a brick wall after I found out we didn't make the playoffs that year. Fortunately for me it healed through the offseason."
He has gained several players' seal of approval.
"That's awesome, pretty cool," Rockies veteran Jason Giambi
said. "He takes his job seriously. I'm sure every now and then he could have a schedule conflict. I like it. That's impressive."
Matt Cain, San Francisco's longest-tenured player, can appreciate Zimei's longevity, too.
"That's pretty sweet," Cain said. "I asked him earlier this year, 'How many days are you here?' He said, 'I haven't missed a day.' That's great. That's a lot. It's pretty amazing -- 13 years straight, that's a long time."
Still, around AT&T Park there's one home streak that's tough to beat. Longtime equipment manager Mike Murphy hasn't missed a home game since the franchise moved West from New York in 1958.
When told about Zimei, Murphy quipped: "Oh really? I haven't missed a home game since 1958. I've missed a few road trips but never missed a home game."
That's a pair of remarkable runs for this organization to celebrate in a year the Giants won't return to the playoffs.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
San Francisco Giants Mascot Lou Seal Bobblehead Giveaway
In addition to his on-field presence, Lou Seal also participates in community events and charitable activities. He visits local schools, hospitals, and community centers, spreading cheer and positive messages to fans of all ages. Lou Seal is known for his warm and friendly demeanor, always ready to pose for photos and engage with fans.
Around the Foghorn and the Bobblehead Hall of Fame have teamed up to give one of our lucky fans a free Lou Seal bobblehead!
NOTE: THE PROMOTION HAS ENDED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER!
The bobblehead is part of the World Series Champions Mascot Bobbleheads series that the Bobblehead Hall of Fame has recently unveiled. Every franchise with at least two World Series Championships is represented.
Photo Credit: Bobblehead Hall of Fame /The creation of Lou Seal as the Giants' mascot was inspired by the team's close connection to the sea, given the city's location near the Pacific Ocean. The team wanted a mascot that embodied the fun and vibrant spirit of San Francisco while also paying homage to the team's coastal roots. Lou Seal was the perfect choice, as his playful character and adorable seal appearance instantly captured the hearts of fans. Over the years, Lou Seal has become an iconic figure in San Francisco sports culture. His distinctive appearance, with his orange and black baseball jersey, has become synonymous with the Giants brand. Fans look forward to seeing Lou Seal at every game, knowing that his presence will elevate their experience and make it even more memorable. In conclusion, Lou Seal is much more than just a mascot for the San Francisco Giants. He is a symbol of the team's connection to the sea and a cherished member of the Giants community. His enthusiastic and joyful presence adds to the excitement of every game, making him a beloved figure among fans of all ages..
Reviews for "Lou Seal's Charity Work: How the Mascot Gives Back to the Community"
1. Emily - 1 star - The Giants mascot Lou Seal was incredibly annoying and took away from my overall enjoyment of the game. Not only did he constantly interrupt the action on the field with his loud and obnoxious antics, but he also seemed to lack any originality or creativity. Instead of engaging with the crowd in a fun and unique way, he relied on tired and predictable routines that added nothing to the overall experience. I found myself wishing he would just go away and let me watch the game in peace.
2. Mike - 2 stars - While I appreciate the efforts of the Giants mascot Lou Seal to entertain the crowd, I found his performance to be lackluster and uninspiring. His attempts at getting fans excited fell flat, as his energy seemed forced and his jokes felt stale. Additionally, Lou Seal spent more time interacting with children and ignoring adult fans, which made me feel overlooked and unimportant. Overall, I was disappointed with the mascot's performance and believe there is room for improvement.
3. Sarah - 1 star - Lou Seal, the Giants mascot, was a complete distraction during the game. Instead of focusing on the team and the plays happening on the field, I found myself constantly being interrupted by his obnoxious gestures and loud noises. It was impossible to enjoy the game with Lou Seal constantly hounding for attention. I would have much preferred a quieter and more subtle mascot that added to the overall atmosphere of the stadium, rather than detracting from it.