The Washington Nationals Baseball Team have once again tapped into their Minor League system to bring new talent to Nationals Park. Hoping he’d be Best in “The Show,” the team called up Bruce the Bat Dog from the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings to make his debut on Saturday, June 14.
As Major League Baseball (mlb.com) reports, Bruce earned his promotion after posting a 1.000 retrieving average in three appearances this season. A one-year-and-nine-month old (in people years) golden retriever, Bruce made his first professional appearance last September. “Our fans and front office are always excited to see our players get promoted to the Nationals, but Bruce’s promotion is a historic callup to the big leagues that he richly deserves,” said Red Wings general manager Dan Mason.
Red Wings manager Matt LeCroy starred in a very real video breaking the news to his new pawspect. The camera starts on the skipper sitting at his desk, and he begins his speech: “Hey, come on in big dog, have a seat. … I have some news for you, I think you’re gonna like it.” Then the camera pans to show Bruce sitting patiently across from him.
“Nobody makes people smile more than Bruce, and I’m sure he’ll do a WOOFtastic job for the Nats! He has proven himself to be ready for the show in a very short time and has earned the phenom status that has been bestowed upon him,” Mason said. “He’ll put on a doggone great show for Nats fans on June 14.”
Fittingly enough, Bruce’s debut also coincided with the Nationals’ Pups in the Park event, and included a press conference, special pregame recognition and honorary bat retrieval. A very good boy, Bruce worked during the Red Wings’ game on Friday and traveled to the nation’s capital that night for the Nats’ 1:05 p.m. matinee the next day, a 4-3 loss to the Marlins.
Bruce has become a fan favorite in Rochester and on the internet. He has over 5,000 followers on Instagram (bruceisbatdog) and the “official callup” video with Red Wings manager Matthew LeCroy went viral. Bruce’s highly anticipated day was even commemorated with an MLB debut patch and a special trading card by Topps.
“Look at this dog and try not to smile, right?” Josh Snyder, Bruce’s owner, said. “He’s great and he’s goofy. I think he’s the perfect candidate for the Red Wings and now the Nationals.”
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