Bruce the bat dog helps out at MLB Washington Nationals game to crowd fanfare
The dog days of summer arrived on the weekend at Nationals Park in Washington, DC.
Bruce, a 21-month-old golden retriever, fetched a bat during a ceremony before the Washington Nationals's 4-3 Major League Baseball loss to the Miami Marlins as part of a Pups in the Park promotion.
He retrieved bats the last two seasons with the Rochester Red Wings, Washington's affiliate in the lower leagues.
Bruce, wearing a bandana with an "MLB debut" patch he received when he arrived at the stadium, was presented a commemorative bat.
He then took a circuitous route from the dugout toward first base after Nationals reliever Zach Brzykcy dropped the bat in foul territory, before the bat dog collected his quarry to the delight of a crowd wowed by his work and enthusiasm.
"Look at this dog and try not to smile," said Bruce's owner Josh Snyder.
"He's great. He's goofy. I think he's the perfect candidate for Rochester, the Red Wings and now the Nationals."
Snyder, who wore a number 25 Nationals jersey with "Bruce" on the nameplate, said he drove through the night with Bruce and arrived in Washington at about 3am on game day.
But it was anything but a rough morning and early afternoon for Bruce, who casually lapped up attention as 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 did a couple of practice bat retrievals with Mr Snyder's assistance before Nationals catcher Riley Adams stopped to pat him on his way out for pre-game work.
He did not work during the actual game, however, and will return to lower league duties afterward.
Bruce is Mr Snyder's second dog work to with the Red Wings, following the late Milo, and both participated in campaigns to raise money for Rochester's Veterans Outreach Center and Honor Flight Rochester.
This week — which included an announcement from the Nationals that Bruce had earned a promotion — generated plenty of buzz even before his debut.
"Social media, everything like that seems like it's seriously blown up, and we love it," Mr Snyder said.
"Really good publicity with our goal and our mission of bringing people together. It shows it's just doing that."
AP
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