Slugger, the mascot for the Portland Sea Dogs, has been inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer, file
Slugger the Sea Dog, the lovable and mischievous mascot for the Portland Sea Dogs minor league baseball team, has made it to the big time.
Slugger has been elected to the Mascot Hall of Fame, one of two inducted nationally this year. Slugger becomes the first minor league sports mascot selected for induction, the Sea Dogs posted on Facebook.
The other mascot awarded the honor Friday was “Otto Orange” of Syracuse University.
The mission of the Mascot Hall of Fame is to honor great mascot performers and performances in a family friendly way, according to the organization. The hall of fame is based in Whiting, Indiana.
A 2018 Press Herald story about Slugger said the life expectancy of the average harbor seal was 20 to 25 years, but this is no average seal. At 24 years old then, Slugger was going strong. This year, the limber Slugger is 29.
Slugger made his Hadlock Field debut on May 7, 1994, and has since then found ways to remain forever young, cavorting with umpires, frolicking with fans and teasing ball players.
Slugger has been a successful mascot – dancing or posing with fans for photos, sneaking a Sea Dog biscuit from a vendor to give to a fan – who draws reaction from the crowd during games. Slugger also makes frequent public appearances at community events wearing different costumes.
Slugger always wears green while marching and dancing in Portland’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. The mascot has also dressed up as a Star Wars storm trooper, Batman, Elvis, a pirate and one summer he dressed as Elsa from the Disney film, “Frozen.”
Sea Dogs’ mascot Slugger waves an Irish flag while dancing on Commercial Street during the St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 12. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer
The mascot said he is “honored, humbled and privileged” to be in the hall of fame.
“A huge thank you to my fans and friends for all your support! I share this honor with all of you, the city of Portland and the state of Maine,” Slugger said on Facebook.
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