Mascot Spotlight: Squeeze and Papa Squeeze

Today is a mascot two-fer. It's also a two generation photo of sorts.

The Chicago Dogs mascot Squeeze celebrates his birth on August 7, fittingly National Mustard Day. Squeeze announced his retirement in 2020, but is still present at Impact Field. I don't know if he came out of retirement or  he just hangs around the ballpark for fun. Retired or not, Squeeze is in the Mascot Hall of Fame.

Last Father's Day was another special day at the ballpark. Always looking for the mascots, I was doubly pleased to get a picture with Squeeze and his father Papa Squeeze. This is my first two-gen mascot picture.

Squeeze is part of the fun at Impact Field. The Chicago Dogs do a great job of entertaining fans with their play and the other activities at the ballpark. Go to thechicagodogs.com for more info on the team.

Papa Squeeze, Squeeze and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2024.

Stu Cliburn and the Chicago Dogs

While MLB started its season a couple days ago in Japan, the Chicago Dogs start their season in Rosemont in a couple months. Coach Stu Cliburn will be back for his fifth season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the fourth round of the 1977 MLB Draft. After a few years in their organization without reaching the majors, Cliburn signed with the California Angels in 1982. He made his MLB debut by appearing in one game in 1984, but broke out with an excellent season in 1985, appearing in 44 games, posting a 2.09 ERA and finishing 5th in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. Unfortunately, he was back in the minors with Edmonton in 1986-87, before making an MLB return in 1988. He spent 1989 and 1990 in the minors before retiring as a player. One interesting sidenote is Stu got to be teammates with his brother Stan in Edmonton.

Stu is a classy guy. Several years back, I had the pleasure of interviewing Stu when he was a coach with the Minnesota Twins for Spring Training. That interview is at On the Beat With Stu Cliburn.

Last season, the Dogs finished 55-45 good for a tie of second place. The team looks to build on that to move into first this season.

The Dogs open their season Friday, May 9 against the Lake County Dockhounds. For more info, go to chicagodogs.com. 

Stu Cliburn and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2024.

Dusty Stroup and the Chicago Dogs

The Chicago Dogs open their season Friday, May 9 hosting the Lake County Dockhounds. The team has a new manager, but several returning players, including infielder Dusty Stroup.

Stroup played college ball at Missouri Western State University and University of Central Missouri prior to starting his pro career in 2021. He joined the Dogs last season. Playing 3rd base, he hit .253 with 21 HRs, 62 RBIs and 58 runs scored. 

Last season the Dogs finished 54-45, good for 3rd place in the Eastern Division of the American Association. They are always an exciting team and this season looks to be the same.

For more info on the team, go to thechicagodogs.com. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

Dusty Stroup and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2024.

Jeff Isom and the Chicago Dogs

Jeff Isom has spent most of this century managing minor league baseball teams. He has racked up more than 1,000 wins during hat span. (Remember, minor leagues do not play 162 games like MLB.) Last season, Isom led the Chicago Dogs to a 55-45 record. 

Prior to managing, Isom was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 18th round of the 1993 MLB draft. He played pro baseball for seven seasons, but did not reach the MLB.

During this ofseason, Isom decided to open a baseball facility in his home area of Lafayette, IN. We will miss him in Chicago, but we wish him well.

 Jeff Isom and me in Rosemont, IL-June 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.

General McArthur IV and the Dogs

The Chicago Dogs are 49-40 tied for 2nd place in the East Division of the American Association. Tied with the Kane County Cougars, they sit six games behind the Cleburne Railroaders. Catching Cleburne does not seem possible, but they should hang on to a playoff spot.

At the last Dogs game I attended, I met outfielder General McArthur IV. In his second year with the Dogs, McArthur is hitting .114 in 20 games. Unfortunately, that is not a misprint. McArthur has struggled at the plate since 2019. After hitting .328 and .263 in his first season in low ball, he hit .231 in the first part of 2019, then hasn't topped .200 since. 

He was a super nice guy when we talked. General is really his first name, not just a nickname. The fans love him and I can see why. He has a huge smile and sis fan-friendly. He's the kind of player embraced by the fans and the organization. I just don't know how long he'll be around with that batting average.

For more info on the Dogs, go to ChicagoDogs.com. Check back here for my recurring coverage.

 General McArthur IV and me in Rosemont, IL-June 2024.

Friend Encounters: Michael Crouse and Jim Strong

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Occasional Johngy's Beat Contributor Jim Strong has become a big fan of the Chicago Dogs. Based in Rosemont, right by the old Chicago Bandits Ballpark, the Dogs play in beautiful Impact Field.

The Dogs are very fan-friendly. Every Sunday, fans are invited to take the field to play catch or mingle with players before the game. Jim and I have talked to many players and coaches over the years.

The picture below is bittersweet for Jim though. Outfielder Michael Crouse is one of his favorites. Unfortunately, Crouse was traded to the Milwaukee Milkmen during last season. I guess Jim will have to go to a Sunday game when the Milkmen are in town to hopefully get a pic with Crouse in his new uniform.

The Dogs open their season May 12. Go to TheChicagoDogs.com for more info and scheduling.

Michael Crouse and Jim Strong in Rosemont, IL-July 2022.

Friend Encounters: Ketchup and Kacy Standohar

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

I met Kacy Standohar several years ago when she was the in-game host for the National Pro Fastpitch Chicago Bandits. Since then, I have seen Kacy at many other sports events, both pro and college. It's always great running into her or working the same event.

An Ohio native, Kacy is now an adopted Chicagoan (although I thinks she still has some Ohio sports fandom in her, but that's understandable). She is totally Chicago though, supprting and covering all local teams.

I don't see any one having more fun or working harder than Kacy. She makes it fun for viewers and co-workers.

Last year, while working at the Chicago Dogs games, Kacy took a selfie with Ketchup, the underrated secondary mascot to Squeeze (because Chicago dogs don't have ketchup). Look at those smiles. I think Kacy's is even bigger than Ketchup's!

Kacy also works on CHGO, a great Chicago sports site. How this woman has the energy is beyond me, but her enthusiasm is contagious.

The Chicago Dogs open their season May 12. I don't know if Kacy will be there, but I hope to see her sometime this season.

Check my first interview with Kacy at On the Beat With Kacy Standohar. Go to AllCHGO.com to see Kacy's great work and lots of interesting sports coverage.

Kacy Standohar and Ketchup in Rosemont, IL-May 2022.

Friend Encounters: Squeeze and Ketchup and Jenniffer Weigel

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

I grew up watching Tim Weigel deliver the sports news on television. Tim's unique style included humor, which was greatly appreciated during very lean years for Chicago sports. Unfortunately, Tim died in 2001, succumbing to a brain tumor at just 56 years old.

One of Tim's daughters followed his path into the media, although in her own way. Jenniffer is an author, reporter, television host, speaker and more. The first book I read of hers was Stay Tuned, an amazing book about communicating with her late father from beyond. I have since read her other books and highly encourage all to do so, too.

Jenniffer's approach is one of searching for answers and options. She has her beliefs, but is pen to others, while continuing her search for more insight. I find her work immensely entertaining, informative and calming. I don't have to agree with everything she writes (although I pretty much do), to respect her thought process.

Jenniffer is known for posting various heart pictures on her social media pages. The hearts are really other things that are shaped close to hearts, but it is her way of saying love is everywhere. It's a great mantra and I have since found myself looking for hearts, too. I even occasionally post one and tag her out of respect.

At a Chicago Dogs baseball game, Jenniffer didn't find any hearts (or at least none that she posted), but she found Mustard and Ketchup, mascots of the Dogs. Jenniffer might be just what Ketchup needs to stop getting (playfully) booed (because everyone knows Ketchup doesn't belong on hot dogs). If Jenniffer can spread her message of love throughout the stands, maybe fans will be more appreciative of Ketchup. If anyone can do it, Jenniffer can.

Check out Jenniffer's books and other interesting stuff at JenWeigel.com. I'm a big fan and I have a lot of respect or Jenniffer. I'm not ashamed to say her books have helped me during random tough times.

As for the Dogs, they started play last Friday. I'll be "On the Beat" and reporting back here, on GlobalTravelerUSA.com and Patch.com. Go to ChicagoDogs.com for more info on the Dogs!

Squeeze, Jenniffer Weigel and Ketchup in Rosemont, IL-July 2020.

Friend Encounters: Chicago Dogs' Ketchup & Dave Zeman

The Chicago Dogs open their season this Friday. Once again, I will be "On the Beat" covering the Dogs here, on Patch.com and GlobalTravelerUSA.com. Who better to celebrate the start of the Dogs season than their much-maligned mascot Ketchup and baseball historian Dave Zeman.

It's been well-documented here how much I enjoy mascots. Actually, I think today's friend loves mascots, too (or maybe he just indulged me). When Dave Zeman and I attended a Chicago Dogs game, I sought out the mascots as always. I got my picture with Ketchup and Dave got one, too.

I'm usually not in favor of inanimate objects being mascots. I do like Ketchup though, although oddly, I rarely use ketchup.

The Chicago Dogs have two mascots. Ketchup's mascot colleague is Squeeze (mustard), which often brings funny interplay during games. Fans even get into the act by playfully booing Ketchup, because everyone knows, ketchup does not belong on Chicago (hot)dogs.

Dave is the co-author of The Baseball Rookies Encyclopedia, a look at rookie crops from 1872 through 2003. Dave and co-author David Nemec did an exhausting, but fantastic job on this book, which I happily own.

Having Dave pictured with Ketchup gives respect to this mascot. If a baseball scholar and historian like Dave can embrace a mascot, everyone can.

Go to ChicagoDogs.com for more info and scheduling of the Dogs. Look for The Baseball Rookie Encyclopedia on Amazon.

Squeeze and Dave Zeman in Rosemont, IL-June 2018.

K.C. Hobson (But Not Butch) At the Chicago Dogs

Last weekend, I took in the series between the Chicago Dogs and the Cleburne Railroaders. The Dogs took two of three games and I talked to a bunch of players from both teams. Unfortunately, I missed Dogs Manager Butch Hobson, but I did get his son K.C.

Papa Butch played six seasons with the Boston Red Sox, followed by one season each with the California Angels and the New York Yankees. Butch was named the first manger for the Dogs back in 2018 and my intro interview with him from then can be found at On the Beat With Butch Hobson.

Son K.C. was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB Draft. Kristopher Clell spent time in the minors with the Blue Jays and the San Francisco Giants, before joining the Independent Leagues. In 2020, he signed with the Dogs.

Hobson is hitting .279 this season, helping his Dogs to a 38-25 record, good for second place in the North Division. The Dogs trail their rival Milwaukee Milkmen by three games with about 35 left to play.

For more info and scheduling, go to TheChicagoDogs.com. You can also go to Global Traveler for my full recap of the weekend with the Dogs.

K.C. Hobson, Harrison Miller and me in Rosemont, IL-July 2021.

Chicago Dogs 2018

The Chicago Dogs finished their first season with a record of 45-54, good for 4th place in the North Division of the American Association. Overall, they had the 8th best record in the league. That is pretty good for a debut season.

For the season, the pitching was a bit better than the batting. Statistically, the pitching generally ranked in the upper section of the leaderboards, while the batting was in the lower half. The Dogs did lead the league in fielding percentage. The Dogs finished with an average attendance of 2,954, the 7th best in the AA.

At a pre-season Media Day, I talked to Scott Barnes and Tony Roselli. In 16 games, pitcher Scott Barnes was 2-4, with an ERA of 4.46. In 60 games, Roselli hit .240, with 8 homers, 21 rbi's and 24 runs scored.

Overall, this debut season has to be considered a success. In Chicago, with so many entertainment options, they averaged almost 3,000 people per game, while being competitive all season. The future looks bright for the Dogs and I look forward to returning to Impact Field next season.

For more info on the Dogs, head to ChicagoDogs.com. You can also go to AmericanAssociationVaseball.com for info on all teams and the league.

Scott Barnes, Tony Rosselli and me in Rosemont, IL-May 2018.

Butch Hobson and the 2018 Chicago Dogs

I have watched as Impact Field was built in Rosemont. It was promised to be a beautiful stadium and it is just that.

I jumped on board with the Dogs several months ago. My distribution company spread their schedules all over the Chicago area. I also started writing pieces all over the net, like at Chicago Dogs for Global Traveler. I was excited to be in from the start.

This Friday, May 25, it all truly starts with their Home Opener against the Kansas City T-Bones. I'll be sitting in the pressbox, but I will also make sure to visit the entire stadium. I have seen it empty and now I want to see it with all of the attractions in place and the fans filling up the seats.

The Dogs are part of a new era in Rosemont. It is now an entertainment destination and the Dogs and Chicago Bandits are right in the middle of it all. It's going to be a fun summer.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Manager Butch Hobson and he was excited and positive about the Dogs. That interview can be found at On the Beat With Butch Hobson.

I'll be "On the Beat" all season and I look forward to exciting baseball and a lot of fun. Check back here for recurring coverage and check TheChicagoDogs.com for all of the info on the team, including the schedule.

Butch Hobson and me in Rosemont, IL-May 2018.

On the Beat With Chicago Dogs Manager Butch Hobson

Butch Hobson was selected by the Boston Red Sx in the 1973 MLB amateur draft. The 3rd baseman made his MLB debut in 1975

He stayed with the Red Sox through the 1980 season, after which he was traded to the California Angels. He played one year with them, before being traded to the New York Yankees, where he played for one season. He did play for 3 more seasons with the Yankees AAA club, before retiring.

In parts of 8 MLB seasons, he hit .248 with  89 home runs. He also had 398 rbi's and 314 runs scored. He won the "Player of the Week" award twice.

Hobson went on to manage the Red Sox for three seasons, compiling a .472 winning percentage. Since then, he has spent most of his time managing in the minors, including several stops in various independent leagues.

This brings us to 2018, when Hobson will manage the new Chicago Dogs of the American Association. The Dogs will be playing at the newly finished Impact Field in Rosemont, IL.

I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to Hobson last weekend. Hobson gave me his thoughts on the new stadium, the independent leagues and coming to Chicago. He looks and sounds great. He si certainly excited about the season. 

I vividly remember Hobson breaking in with the Red Sox. I remember getting his baseball cards in packs. This is one of those surreal moments, when I couldn't believe I was talking to Hobson. It really never gets old for me.

I will be "On the Beat" all season. Check back here for recurring coverage. Also, go to TheChicagoDogs.com for all of the info on the newest team in Chicago.

Thank you to the Chicago Dogs for their hospitality and thanks to Hobson for his time and consideration. Go Dogs!