When the Atlanta Braves first introduced Blooper, there was a lot of backlash. Fans called him ugly and a worse version of the Philly Phanatic. Five years later, he's probably the best mascot in baseball.
But what's changed the fans' minds? How did Blooper go from hated to beloved (or is it just fear)? Here are just five reasons why.
5. He's great with the kids
At the end of the day, you need your team's mascot to be kid-friendly. If your mascot isn't approachable for the kids, what's the point?
Thankfully, Blooper is a true professional with the kids. Not only do fans love him, but players' kids also love him. Blooper has left such a great impression, that even two years after Freddie Freeman left, Charlie Freeman still excitedly met up with Blooper at this year's All-Star Game Red Carpet.
some old friends too ❤️ pic.twitter.com/pJXxlj3Mqm
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) July 11, 2023
But his relationship with Stone Duvall, the son of former Brave Adam Duvall, is even more heartwarming. During the 2021 playoff run, their friendship rose to the spotlight, with the two best friends even getting a feature on Fox 5.
Adam Duvall's son Stone is obsessed with @BlooperBraves and it's the cutest thing you'll see all day. pic.twitter.com/IT7lldvYFC
— Kelly Price (@thekellyprice) October 24, 2021
Sadly, great things don't last forever, and Duvall and the Braves parted ways this past offseason. Blooper was obviously crushed, and he took to Twitter to pen this short but beautiful farewell.
it only hurts because it was real
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) January 18, 2023
only love for the Duvall family pic.twitter.com/8h1lQ11MzU
But this wasn't the end of the story for Blooper and Stone. When the Braves mascot hosted a mascot party this past July, Wally, the Boston Red Sox mascot received an invitation. It turned out, Wally wasn't the only one from Boston getting an invitation.
In the mascot's version of co-parenting, Wally brought along the Duvall family (sans Adam, of course), which made some Blooper die-hards very happy.
oh, I forgot to mention my last invite ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uXxYSysiIJ
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) July 30, 2023
After the game, Michelle Duvall, Stone's mother, shared on Instagram that Stone is a shy kid, but Blooper helps him open up. What other mascot looks out for the kiddos like Blooper?
please excuse me while i go drown in my tears pic.twitter.com/pxx266c9WM
— lex • fan acc (@bloopyszn) July 31, 2023
Although sometimes being great with kids doesn't mean being nice to them.
King Bloopy 👑 pic.twitter.com/UXcBp64526
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) August 27, 2022