Thursday, September 5, 2024

Mascot Spotlight: Ketchup

This recurring series features those lovable furry creatures who respresnt sports teams and other companies. I might have an unhealthy fascination with them.

Ketchup is one of the mascots of the Chicago Dogs minor league baseball team. How he became a mascot is a bit of a mystery. Squeeze was/is the longtime mascot of the Dogs. As Chicagoans know, Chicago is notorious for not putting ketchup on hot dogs. It's almost a crime.

Naturally, when the Dogs debuted, Mustard had to be their mascot. Sometime in 2020, there was a Squeeze retirement announcement. Some suspect it actually came from Ketchup. Either way, their rivalry continues to this day.

Fans cheer Squeeze and boo Ketchup, although often Kethcup gets a lot of love, too. How can you not love the big lug?

The last time I saw the Dogs, I looked all over for Ketchup, but couldn't find him. I went up to the Press Box and did my work. Then when I was leaving, I pretty much ran into him coming out of a skybox. Of course, I had to get a selfie (see my admitted fascination above). 

For more info on Ketchup and the team, go to thechicagodogs.com. Be on the lookout for Ketchup and Squeeze.

Ketchup and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2024.

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