Rookie the batdog is one of the best batdogs in Minor League Baseball, and he got his own bobblehead last night.
Rookie the batdog, a Golden Retriever working for the Trenton Thunder, got his own bobblehead last night during Batdog Appreciation Night, so he’s officially made it by Minor League Baseball standards.
He is one of a small pawful of team dogs throughout Minor League Baseball, which also includes the Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ Slider, the Frisco RoughRiders’ Brooks, and the Las Vegas Aviators’ Finn.
It’s a tight-knit community, similar to the world of hockey dogs, and in fact Rookie is a good friend of Bark-Andre Furry and Sir Winston Da Doodle.
Being an extrovert and a very polite dog, Rookie was kind enough to do an interview with Dog O’Day shortly before the season started.
Besides giving away Rookie bobbleheads on Batdog Appreciation Night, fans could bring their dog to Arm and Hammer Park, and Rookie’s sister Mickie was able to visit.
Tonight is very special for me, @TrentonThunder are giving out my Bobblehead. Fans can bring their pups to the game, so I can hang out with them...and best of all my sister Mickie will be here. #FunTimes. pic.twitter.com/V0J9mjoMUk
— Rookie (@BatdogRookie) May 21, 2019
The Thunder play in the Double-A Eastern League, and are an affiliate of the New York Yankees.
The goodest boy gets his very own bobblehead TONIGHT at the @TrentonThunder! That means you can take @BatdogRookie home w/ you! pic.twitter.com/3udhrHpLkm
— Minor League Promos (@MiLBPromos) May 21, 2019
Eric Lipsman, Rookie’s human, made sure to remember Rookie’s dad Derby and his grandpa Chase as well, who both preceded him as the Thunder batdogs.
It's #BatDogAppreciationNight @TrentonThunder. Since 2003 I have appreciated every day having these 3 fantastic boys as a part of my life. #Chase, #Derby, and #Rookie. pic.twitter.com/6QvXNaKh0p
— Eric Lipsman (@E_Lipsman) May 21, 2019
Lots of fans, including Leah the Beagle, got to meet their hero.
@TrentonThunder #BatDogDay @BatdogRookie and LeaH getting in some pregame licks. Doing what dogs do🐾 pic.twitter.com/kKv1lFeQLI
— John Broder (@IamNYSports) May 21, 2019
Rookie met a ton of new friends, performed his job of gathering bats admirably, posed for around a hundred pictures (which is a lot), but most importantly he enjoyed spending time with his sister.
This has been such a fun night. @TrentonThunder gave out my Bobblehead Dolls, I met a lot of new pup friends, I posed for about 100 pictures with fans and their pups. The best part of the night was hanging out with my twin sister Mickie....and she brought me this great gift. pic.twitter.com/cwzcjeZkzU
— Rookie (@BatdogRookie) May 22, 2019
Unfortunately for the Thunder, the Red Sox affiliate Portland Sea Dogs won by a 9-8 score after being tied at 4-4 through four innings. They are currently second in the Eastern League’s Eastern Division standings with a record of 25-17, half a game behind the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (which is a fancy way of saying “rocking horses’).
For more Yankees news, be sure to check out Yanks Go Yard, FanSided’s stop for all things of baseball’s most storied franchise.