The Myrtle Beach Pelicans mascot Deuce retired Aug. 30 after ten years of service.
The Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Pelicans, of Minor League Baseball’s Carolina League, halted their home finale to hold a retirement ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 30, for their mascot Deuce.
Unfortunately for the home crowd, the Pelicans fell to the Bules Creek Astros that night by a 2-1 score.
Since 2008, Deuce has greeted fans in the Pro Shop, run the umpires fresh baseballs, and circled the bases after each Bird's win. Tonight, after 10 years, we celebrate the best known dog in Myrtle Beach and wish this very good boy a happy retirement.
— Myrtle Beach Pelicans (@Pelicanbaseball) August 30, 2018
Thank you, Deuce. pic.twitter.com/fiBKxvr3yR
“The umpires stood on the first-base line and removed their hats while he ran his final lap,” Kristin Call, the Pelicans’ senior director of marketing, said. “I thought that was a nice gesture.”
Deuce is a yellow Lab, who joined the team in 2008. He replaced Dinger, the original team dog.
“His gameday duties include delivering new baseballs to the umpires, greeting fans in the Pro Shop, and running the bases after every home victory,” Call explained in an email interview.
It’s safe to say that Deuce’s presence is welcome around the stadium, as team employees often take a timeout on their work to play fetch with him.
“Everyone loves Deuce! The umpires usually pet him when he comes out to deliver the balls, and the players are always quick to say hi/pet him when he walked by the dugout.,” Call said.
From Twitter reactions, Deuce is definitely the most popular canine in Myrtle Beach.
“He’s a laid-back dog, but he still loves to play,” Call said. “His host family will tell you that he knows his way here and perks up whenever they get close to the ballpark.”
“It’s amazing to be part of it, and knowing that Deuce will still be there,” his handler Kailey stated. “He might not be running the bases, but he will be there until the end.”
A third-generation team dog, Slider, will take over Deuce’s duties next season. Slider has been training all year and will have some additional tasks as well.
The Pelicans are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, and they made the playoffs seven times during Deuce’s stint with the club, winning back-to-back Carolina League titles in 2015-16.
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