The dog days of the summer arrived at National Park in Washington, DC.
Bruce, a 21-month-old Golden Retriever, won a bat during a ceremony for the 4-3 Major League baseball loss of the Washington Nationals for the Miami Marlins as part of a puppy in the park promotion.
The last two seasons, he raised bats with the Rochester Red Wings, the affiliated partner of Washington in the lower competitions.
Bruce, who wore a Bandana with a “MLB debut” patch he received when he arrived in the stadium, was presented with a memorial boat.
He then took a cumbersome route from the dugout to first base after Nationals Reliever Zach Brzykcy dropped the bat in error territory before the Bat Dog collected his quarry to the joy of a crowd, surprised by his work and enthusiasm.
“Look at this dog and try not to smile,” said Bruce’s owner Josh Snyder.
“He is great. He is Goofy. I think he is the perfect candidate for Rochester, the Red Wings and now the Nationals.”
Snyder, who wore a number 25 National sweater with “Bruce” in the nameplate, said he drove the night with Bruce and arrived at Washington at about 3 hours on game day.
Bruce is in the dugout before the MLB game starts. ((Getty Images: Jess Rapfogel))
But it was anything but a tough morning and early afternoon for Bruce, who casually gained attention when he walked through the tunnel in the stadium.
Bruce spent about 50 minutes on the field before the ceremony, where he was praised by Wellwishers. He also picked up a few practice bat with the help of Mr Snyder before National Catcher Riley Adams stopped to stroke him on the way for pre-game work.
However, he did not work during the actual competition and returns to the lower league tasks afterwards.
Bruce enchants the game during his hectic schedule. ((Getty Images: Jess Rapfogel))
Bruce is Mr Snyder’s second dog work with the Red Wings, after the late Milo, and both took part in campaigns to raise money for Rochester’s Veterans Outreach Center and Honor Flight Rochester.
This week – including an announcement from the Nationals that Bruce had earned a promotion – generated a lot of buzz before his debut.
“Social media, it seems like it’s seriously blown up, and we love it,” said Mr Snyder.
“Really good publicity with our goal and our mission to bring people together. It shows that it just does.”
AP
#Bruce #Bat #Dog #steals #show #MLB #match