What makes baseball and golden retrievers such a suitable match?
For Josh Snyder, the dogs' playful and at times downright goofy personality blends perfectly with the quirks of America's pastime.
Snyder's newest addition, a golden named Bruce, isn't your ordinary partner in a game of fetch. Bruce is the Rochester Red Wings' newest “bat dog,” continuing the minor league baseball team's tradition that began in 2019 with Milo (also trained by Snyder), the late golden retriever that captivated the Rochester community.
“Everyone loves dogs so much, and this is something that's out of the norm to them,” Snyder said. “It's exciting for the players to get a hit, but the dog brings a whole new level of excitement. Everyone just loses their mind.”
“I can tell you, production in the front office takes a dramatic dip every time he's here,” Red Wings general manager Dan Mason said,” but it's welcomed. Bruce is already beloved and it's hard not to smile when you see him.”
Red Wings fans will surely share that feeling in the months to come.
Searching the paw-spect pool
Milo was a seasoned pro. The veteran bat dog made his first appearance at then-Frontier Field in 2019 and became an instant sensation for game attendees and social media consumers alike. Several appearances followed in the ensuing years, each exit from the dugout greeted with raucous cheers from the Red Wings' faithful.