Slugger still swinging in best mascot contest

Published Date Written by Staff Report

Slugger the Sea Dog has advanced to the Sweet 16 in Mascot Mania, an interactive tournament hosted by MiLB.com, to determine the Best Mascot in Minor League Baseball, the Portland Sea Dogs baseball franchise announced Tuesday.
Slugger is one of 16 mascots remaining in the competition from the field of 64 mascots competing for the honor.  In the opening round Slugger defeated “Buster” from the Lakewood BlueClaws. He most recently defeated “Buster Bison,” from the Buffalo Bisons in round two to advance to the sweet 16.
Slugger now faces “his toughest opponent yet,” fellow Eastern League companion, “Nutzy” from the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Sea Dogs organization noted. This round of the competition runs from Tuesday, June 5 through Thursday, June 7 at 11:59 p.m. Fans may cast their votes at www.seadogs.com or www.milb.com/mascotmania. Three additional rounds are scheduled with the winner to be crowned on June 19. Fans can vote up to 25 times per round.
As the Sea Dogs’ “Director of Crowd Entertainment,” Slugger is responsible for rallying the Hadlock faithful through crazy on-field antics, dances, skits and general Tom-Foolery. More importantly, the Sea Dogs organization noted, he has helped raise over $4 million for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program through the “Strike Out Cancer in Kids” program, in which he serves as the poster figure. He has entertained over 7 million fans since arriving at Hadlock Field from the cool waters of Casco Bay in 1994, the team noted. Slugger makes hundred of community appearances each year. Fans can “Like” Slugger on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SluggertheSeaDog.
Fans can make their choices in each matchup after reviewing photos and bios of all mascots. Once all selections are made, fans can enter the MiLB.com Mascot Mania Sweepstakes for a chance to win a variety of prizes, including subscriptions to MLB.TV and MiLB.TV, in addition to mascot-themed prize packs.