5 Reasons Blooper Is the Best Mascot in Baseball
The Atlanta Braves mascot was not well received when it was introduced in 2018. Now, he's the best mascot in MLB.
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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
4. Other mascots fear him
Oh, you thought that because Bloopy is great with the kids and hosts mascot parties means that he doesn't strike fear into the hearts of opponents? You thought wrong. (Did you not see those stiff arms on those kids?)
you’ve gotta be a real sicko to show your face around here 🤮🤮🤮 pic.twitter.com/PXB0j2spR3
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) July 11, 2023
Blooper's power over other mascots is so great that even other sports' mascots recognize his legendary status. We know Gritty, the mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers, only made this sign to stay on the good side of the great Blooper.
WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!?!? @BlooperBraves @GrittyNHL #BarstoolInvitational pic.twitter.com/BZAKg7vOU1
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) November 11, 2022
3. He's a great listener
Mascots, as we know, don't talk. For a lot of us, it'd be really hard to build relationships with others without talking. But Blooper? He's just an award-winning listener who definitely doesn't talk to Matt Olson.
just a couple Award Winning Listeners talking shop pic.twitter.com/JCHHiNNFjB
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) August 14, 2023
His ability to show his character without speaking is truly awe-inspiring, and he's often rewarded with gigs (non-speaking, of course).
a little filming today, no speaking role tho pic.twitter.com/dy0PyxXBvj
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) August 9, 2023
2. He's an undisputed champion of every beef
Have you ever tried to beef with Blooper? If you haven't, consider yourself spared. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT try to beef with Blooper. You will be lucky to walk away with your life.
His most notable beef is with Barstool's Big Cat, who has yet to see a W despite trying for years. Earlier this year, Big Cat promised to retweet anyone who tweeted a video of them destroying Blooper's bobblehead. He even offered $500 to the person who made the best video.
Of course, Blooper took him up on that offer, destroying his own bobblehead with an ATV.
won’t find a better video than that, I’ll take my $500 whenever you can get it to me @BarstoolBigCat https://t.co/tbgFeUPgKi pic.twitter.com/NAziz9oD3G
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) April 11, 2023
Big Cat paid up, donating $1020.80 to the Ozzie Albies Foundation, which helps dogs in animal shelters find forever homes. How many other beefs end with this kind of win for society?
1. Vibes
Words won't do it justice. He's got the vibes.
No jersey, no problem. Mascots envy this body.
heading to the Draft pic.twitter.com/SWtVYymWit
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) July 9, 2023
days off? https://t.co/Xiv85e6Dpk pic.twitter.com/5WZ8Mhe7JH
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) June 29, 2023
Braves won? You're going to need to see Blooper's celebration.
“Miles, this Braves win is a canon event.” pic.twitter.com/XQHNHZ13SC
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) June 27, 2023
living in the moment pic.twitter.com/NgQZDfGkI4
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) August 2, 2023
Fastest Sean Murphy Enjoyer pic.twitter.com/h9QneFfHER
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) April 11, 2023
Need a hype man? Blooper's got you covered.
i’m about to run out of room pic.twitter.com/O8HQGpGM9I
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) May 2, 2023
2 late 🤝 2 small pic.twitter.com/jfhZzz47gS
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) July 11, 2023
Got a party? Don't worry, he dresses for the occasion.
so fresh and so clean for @Outkast night pic.twitter.com/mS4slwG5Um
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) May 25, 2023
Own a t-shirt gun for home defense, since that's what the Founding Fathers intended. Four ruffians break into my house. "What the Billy?" As I grab my powdered wig and Bleacher Reacher Pro. Blow a golf ball sized hole through the first man, he's blooped on the spot. Draw my Micro… pic.twitter.com/PmXf5K8EwS
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) July 4, 2023
Blooper's the definitive king of mascots, but he already knows that.
2 years ago, atBraves gave me the green light to activate the Twitter
— Blooper (@BlooperBraves) August 4, 2022
It was gonna be a climb. The relationship between the fans and me, it was tough then.
Today, I’m the most followed MLB mascot on Twitter. And I just need you to know, I don’t plan on slowing down. pic.twitter.com/JuLHmAFdhm