Chase (dog)

Chase at his retirement ceremony on July 5, 2013, three days before he died

Chase "That Golden Thunder" (2000 – July 8, 2013)[1] was a Golden Retriever who served as "bat dog" and mascot for the Trenton Thunder minor league baseball team.[2][3]

Life

Chase served as "bat dog" during the first inning at most Trenton Thunder home games, retrieving bats and balls and returning them to the Thunder dugout. Contrary to popular belief, his teeth did not leave marks in the equipment, as Retrievers are trained to carry birds without puncturing them. Later in the game, Chase usually caught frisbees to win a cash prize for a lucky fan. He also carried balls and waters to the umpires during the game.[4] He did, however, have a golden tooth due to his bat carrying duties. Chase had garnered significant media attention, appearing on FOX, CNN, YES Network, UPN9, WNBC4, and even Japanese television.

In 2008, Chase sired a litter of pups. One of the pups was trained to be his successor and was named Home Run Derby (or Derby for short) in a fan poll during the offseason. Another of the pups from that litter was named Ollie, and currently serves in a batdog capacity for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.[5] Derby sired pups in 2013, with one of them, named "Rookie", being trained to eventually succeed him as a third-generation bat dog.[6]

On June 4, 2013, Chase was honored at Yankee Stadium by special invitation of New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman. He was the first canine to be so honored.[7][8]

On July 5, 2013, Chase had a retirement party thrown by the Thunder, complete with a video tribute. The first 2,000 fans received Chase bobbleheads and fans were encouraged to bring their own dogs to the game.[9]

On August 11, 2015, Chase's son Derby "narrated" an ESPN E:60 feature on the Chase and his family of bat-retrieving dogs.[10]

Death

Chase died on July 8, 2013. He was diagnosed with lymphoma in February and had been suffering from arthritis.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "Trenton Thunder's bat dog Chase passes away days after retirement". NYPOST.com. 2013-06-27. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  2. ↑ "Bat-retrieving dog for New York Yankees affiliate in NJ dies days after retirement party - Yahoo! Sports Canada". Ca.sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  3. ↑ "Bat-retrieving dog for New York Yankees' Double-A Trenton Thunder dies - ESPN New York". Espn.go.com. 2008-01-01. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  4. ↑ "Bat-retrieving dog for Trenton Thunder dies | Daily Record". dailyrecord.com. 2013-07-06. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  5. ↑ Aderhold, Nathan (2013-05-01). "World-famous bat dog, Chase, dies at 13". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  6. ↑ http://wapc.mlb.com/cutfour/2014/07/11/84192296/video-trenton-thunder-adorable-bat-dog-team-chase-derby-rookie?partnerId=as_mlb_20140711_27704136
  7. ↑ Soshnick, Scott (2013-07-05). "Trenton Thunder's Golden Retriever Bat Dog Chase Dies at Age 13". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  8. ↑ "Thunder's Bat Dog to Retire, Birthday and Retirement Party Scheduled For July 5 |". Ballparkbiz.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  9. ↑ "Trenton Thunder 'bat dog' Chase dies just days after his retirement party". NJ.com. 2011-11-01. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  10. ↑ Rittenhouse, Lindsay (August 12, 2015). "Dog dynasty: ESPN gives voice to Trenton Thunder's 'bat dog' family". Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  11. ↑ Famous minor league bat-dog dies, USA Today, July 9, 2013
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