Sports
MLB’s Most Memorable Animal Mascots, Featuring Brewers’ Bobby Jr.
Major League Baseball: Always up for a gimmick, especially if it means using a species that walks on more than two legs to the ballpark.
Brewers players came out of their shells to embrace the tortoise, which Murphy named Bobby Jr. after Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Trevor Megill, the team’s closer, seemed enthusiastic as the critter crawled over a clubhouse rug toward right-hander Chad Patrick. If the players realized that Bobby Jr. had bitten Murphy “several times,” it didn’t worry them.
The tortoise is tiny now (and moves surprisingly fast despite stereotyping) but Murphy has since found out that sulcatas grow to 100-plus pounds and routinely live into their 70s. Like humans.
Bobby Jr. turns out to be much more complicated than Murphy’s “pocket pancake” made-for-TV gimmick of 2025. Those were just small pancakes you could store and pull from your pocket if you needed a quick bite. Caring for tortoises? There’s more to it.
Sulcatas are said to dislike loud noises, like those coming from stands with screaming fans, booming fireworks and clubhouses that play celebration music. And then there’s airplane travel, even if charter flights can sidestep potential security and quarantine/immigration issues.
Oops?
“Maybe I didn’t think ahead,” Murphy said at one point. He’s hoping to find a permanent home for Bobby Jr., because the tortoise won’t be a recurring member of the team’s traveling party.
Even if it was just for a weekend, the legend of Bobby Jr. the tortoise will live forever among other ballpark animals in MLB history.
• The tortoise was a call-back to the residency of Hank the “Ballpark Pup,” a stray who wandered into Brewers’ Spring Training in 2014 (and into our hearts), becoming a fixture for years. Hank, a Bichon Frisé mix, was of course named after MLB legend and Henry “Hank” Aaron.
• The modern inspiration of the living mascot trend was the Los Angeles Angels’ Rally Monkey in the early 2000s. The Chapuchin was known mostly for its appearances on the home video board, though it also appeared in person at ballgames.
• Bobby Jr. isn’t the first famous tortoise/turtle in major league history; New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. brought in Bronxie, a red-eared slider turtle, in 2021.
• What has six legs and tried to help the Kansas City Royals repeat as World Series champions? A rally mantis, which became the team’s beloved insect and good-luck charm in August 2016. It first appeared on the hat of outfielder Billy Burns, and prompted a winning streak.
• Who knows how many different species the Oakland Coliseum hosted through the years? In 2014, a resident possum helped the Athletics win multiple ballgames, at least that’s the story. More recently, before the A’s moved to Sacramento on the way to Las Vegas, a possum nest prevented the New York Mets broadcast from using their usual booth at the Coliseum.
• Rally Squirrel! Squirrels live in about every ballpark, but only one — an eastern grey squirrel — got their own Topps baseball card, when the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series in 2011.
• The Cincinnati Reds of the late 1980s had Schottzie, a St. Bernard dog owned by club owner Marge Schott. Schottzie was less beloved by the players when he pooped on the field at Riverfront Stadium.
• The Chicago Cubs might have the deepest MLB history of animal friends, mostly because of a goat named Murphy. Back in 1945, a local Greek restaurateur brought a pet goat to the World Series for good luck (as one does), but was denied entry to Wrigley Field. So he cursed the franchise, which failed to win the ’45 Series, or any World Series, until 2016.
• A Shea Stadium black cat in ‘69 killed the Cubs season and willed the Miracle Mets into existence. The Cubs also had an actual baby bear mascot that met a grisly end in the early 1900s.
Goats, cats, bears — oh my! This live mascot business can get tricky. If you’re a major league manager, be sure to think it all through before you commit to anything.
Sports
Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Struggles Are Becoming a Problem for the Cubs
Last season was an awesome year for the North Side of Chicago. Young players broke out on offense, and the pitching staff became one of the best in baseball. 2025 was a season of highs for the Cubs, but 2026 has been off to a very rocky start.
The injury bug continues to devastate the pitching rotation, as Jason Steele continues to recover from his Tommy John surgery. Cade Horton joins Steele as he will miss the rest of the season with Tommy John surgery, and Matthew Boyd finds himself on the IL as well with a bicep strain. Boyd should be returning shortly, but with his laundry list of previous injuries, it’s smart to keep him healthy for the long haul.
However, I’m not worried about this pitching rotation. Even through injuries, they have the pieces to keep them afloat; my main worry comes on offense.
Pete Crow-Armstrong signed a 6-year, $115 million contract this offseason, and it felt like a smart move for the Cubs. Locking in the best defensive center fielder in the sport, who just hit 30 home runs in his breakout season, was a widely approved move in Wrigleyville. I’m not sure it will be as great a move for the Cubs in the long run.
After the All-Star Game last year, PCA showed clear signs of slowing. He slashed .216/.262/.372 with only 6 home runs, and struck out 68 times. He struggled with elevated fastballs and pitches out of the zone, and that’s continued into 2026.
He holds a 46% chase rate, 28% whiff rate, and 26% strikeout rate, all of which have increased since 2025. To make matters worse, his barrel rate has fallen off a cliff. You can’t be as aggressive as PCA, chasing pitches out of the zone, when you’re not walking at all, or crushing the ball. Crow-Armstrong is slugging only .349 this season, down from his cold second half last year.
What’s the scariest part about these struggles is that PCA might be exceeding his projected stats as well. He has a .289 wOBA and a .235 xwOBA, where the league average for wOBA is around .320.
PCA will always provide value due to his all-world abilities to roam the outfield, but a $100 million player needs to provide more than just a glove. The Cubs were 7th in baseball in OPS last season and, with their slow start, are only 16th. Seyia Suzuki, returning from injury, should fix some of those issues, but they’ll need PCA to get going if they want to contend in what could be a loaded NL Central.
Sports
Why None of These NBA Play-In Teams Are True Contenders
Jan 4, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates a turnover by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid and Kawhi Leonard.
Star power to enjoy … check.
The Hornets, Suns and Trail Blazers.
Plucky underdogs to root for … check.
The prospect of playing the Thunder, Spurs, Pistons or Celtics next … ugh.
With the eight participants coming more into focus, it appears the NBA will have some intriguing matchups in its play-in games next week.
But let’s be honest: There’s a reason these aren’t called the playoffs. And why the stats don’t count.
That’s because they are nothing more than exhibitions.
There isn’t a single team among the octet that has a chance to advance past the first round of the playoffs. Half will be lucky to win a game.
So while it’s fun to watch Prairie View experience one shining moment at the expense of a school whose students can see actual buildings outside their window, you eventually come to the realization that you’re watching the junior varsity prelim to the marquee event.
Here’s why while some likely participants will be worth watching early next week, you’ll have better things to do by next weekend …
Philadelphia 76ers
Oct 27, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) reacts after scoring against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images If I had a Ben Franklin for every time I’ve heard the phrase “when they get healthy …” – I’d bet it all on that team not being healthy within a week of when it got all green lights. If it ever did happen. With Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey going triple-threat on some outclassed opponent in the Eastern 7-8 play-in, it might actually catch the attention of the Celtics, who await in the real deal.
And then when Embiid, George or Maxey – or some combination thereof – can’t remain upright for more than 25 minutes in Boston, you’ll be left muttering: Why can’t this be a best-of-three?
Orlando Magic
Jan 7, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Kia Center. credits: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports Here’s 76ers Lite. Let’s call them the Six-Seveners because they’ve become the ultimate “so-so” team in the NBA. This half-good squad has one loss/one win written all over it in the play-in, so the Magic better be praying for the 7-8’s double-elimination advantage. Then 6-7 would turn into 4, as in a first-round sweep by the Pistons.
Charlotte Hornets
The let-it-fly Hornets earn the right to be the people’s choice in this group, but unless the Raptors drop into the play-in, they won’t have anybody who’ll run with them. This type of first-one-to-130-wins entertainer NEVER succeeds in the playoffs, but at least we could get an answer to one of basketball’s most pressing questions … Who’s the most clever passer in the game today, LaMelo Ball or Caitlin Clark?
Miami Heat
Kinda like Dan Hurley, you don’t want to mess with Erik Spoelstra in the postseason. At least until the Finals. Even should they land 10th, they’d be the last team the Celtics would want to see in Round 1. Remember 2023? They are winners vs. losers in a matchup with the Magic, and defense vs. offense should they draw the Hornets. That plays in the postseason … until you run into bigger winners and better defenders at the end of the week.
Phoenix Suns
Jan 4, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images For the life of me, I can’t figure out what J.B. Bickerstaff has done to warrant Coach of the Year consideration. Boston’s Joe Mazzulla and Phoenix’s Jordan Ott were supposed to be playing Musical Chairs at the draft lottery venue by mid-April. Instead, their teams each won about 20 more games than expected. Unfortunately for Ott – who should get the award – it takes more than coaching (unless you’re Spoelstra) to win at this point. Still, a Suns-Trail Blazers showdown for Western Surprise Team of the Year would be entertaining and appropriate.
Los Angeles Clippers
You don’t get many Kawhi Leonard-Stephen Curry matchups in the play-in, so that’s a second reason to root for the Trail Blazers to land eighth and the Clippers ninth. But even the hobbled Warriors would have a chance to beat the Clippers, who wrote off the season when they dealt James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the trade deadline. Still, Leonard vs. Curry would be a 30-minute blast, wouldn’t it? (They don’t do 48 anymore.) Then again, a 7-8 win would send Kawhi to San Antonio, which could get interesting.
Portland Trail Blazers
Warriors fans are praying to get the Trail Blazers in the 9-10 game, even at Portland, because of the host’s lack of playoff experience. But be careful what you wish for. Curry, Draymond Green, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis … with all the games they’ve missed this season, not a single one was due to dizziness. But by halftime of this one-team track meet, that could change.
Golden State Warriors
Don’t look now, but any of the four teams in the Eastern play-in would be a clear-cut favorite in the West. Who’d have thought we’d ever seen that day? With just two “happy to be here” teams and a has-been in their way, the door is certainly open for the Warriors to win twice on the road and make it to the weekend against the Thunder. But you know what they say …
“When they get healthy …”
Sports
Giants' Daniel Susac hopes to continue fast start vs. Phillies
Apr 2, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Daniel Susac (6) looks on during an interview after the game against the New York Mets at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images Daniel Susac’s start to his career has been so eye-opening that the rookie catcher has earned himself more at-bats.
Susac became the first player in Giants history to open his career with five consecutive hits, and San Francisco manager Tony Vitello indicated he’s ready to write Susac’s name on the lineup card more frequently.
The mystery is whether Susac will be in the lineup for the second straight day on Wednesday afternoon when the Giants close a three-game set with the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.
Susac, 24, went 3-for-4 with a two-run triple in Tuesday night’s 6-0 victory over the Phillies. When he started 2-for-2 for his fifth hit in a row this season, he was one safety away from becoming the first player to start his career 6-for-6 since Ted Cox of the Boston Red Sox in 1977.
Susac fell short of Cox when he flied out in the sixth inning. Still, the rookie surpassed a big name for the team mark in Hall of Famer Willie McCovey (4-for-4 in 1959).
Susac is batting .857 while regular catcher Patrick Bailey is struggling at .129 with four hits (all singles) in 31 at-bats.
“I think he’s obviously earned the right to be out there for us more often,” Vitello said of Susac. “It would be good for those guys.
“I think they have a good friendship and also a good working relationship. … It’s not an easy thing to go out there all the time. You’ll be seeing plenty of both guys as the season goes on.”
Susac was a Rule 5 Draft pick in the offseason by the Minnesota Twins out of the Athletics’ organization. He later was traded to the Giants. He saw an opportunity with them and worked on his approach.
“A lot of it has to do with offseason changes I made,” Susac said. “Just being a lot calmer at the plate, smooth, seeing the ball a little better.
“Growing up, my strength was the opposite side of the field. So getting back to that … taking what they give me as well.”
Philadelphia had just four hits in Tuesday’s loss, and the defense had issues in the fifth inning.
Star shortstop Trea Turner fumbled a grounder that appeared to be a double play. Later in the inning, left fielder Otto Kemp’s reaction time was slow as Matt Chapman’s RBI double sailed over his head.
“Hindsight, I wish I would have tried to beat the ball to the spot,” Kemp said. “Better chance to make that play rather than trying to jump up.”
Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto exited in the bottom of the first inning due to a bruised right foot. He was hit with a foul ball off the bat of San Francisco’s Rafael Devers.
“X-rays were negative,” Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said. “We’ll re-evaluate (Wednesday).”
Thomson said Rafael Marchan will start at catcher on Wednesday. Marchan was hitless in four at-bats Tuesday.
Aaron Nola (1-0, 3.18 ERA) will start for the Phillies in the finale against fellow right-hander Tyler Mahle (0-2, 7.00) of the Giants.
Nola, 32, beat the Colorado Rockies on Friday when he gave up one run and five hits over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out nine and walked one in a 10-1 victory.
Nola has struggled against San Francisco, going 3-3 with a 7.00 ERA in nine career starts. Willy Adames is just 1-for-19 with 10 strikeouts against him while Matt Chapman is 3-for-7.
Mahle, 31, served up two homers while allowing five runs and eight hits over five innings in a 10-3 loss to the New York Mets on Friday. He struck out four and walked two.
Mahle is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in three career starts against the Phillies. Kyle Schwarber (5-for-18) has homered twice off him.
–Field Level Media
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