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ABC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
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
CNN
7 days ago
- Sport
- CNN
Washington Nationals' ‘top paw-spect' makes MLB debut… Bruce the Bat Dog
The Washington Nationals fell to an agonizing 4-3 defeat in their game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday. But it was not all doom and gloom for the Nationals and their fans as the team's 'top paw-spect' made his long-awaited MLB debut. Bruce the Bat Dog was called up after impressing senior figures in the organization following his time with the Rochester Red Wings – the Triple-A affiliate of the Nationals. The su-paw-star Bruce is a one year and nine-month-old golden retriever who has had Washington fans' tails wagging in recent days. 'Our fans and front office are always excited to see our players get promoted to the Nationals, but Bruce's promotion is a historic call-up to the big leagues that he richly deserves,' Dan Mason, GM of the Red Wings, said in a press release issued on Tuesday. 'Nobody makes people smile more than Bruce, and I'm sure he'll do a WOOFtastic job for the Nats! He has proven himself to be ready for the show in a very short time and has earned the phenom status that has been bestowed upon him. He'll put on a doggone great show for Nats fans on June 14.' According to the Nationals, Bruce leads the organization in 'head pats, belly rubs and 'good boys' since making his first professional appearance'. While Bruce impressed on his Major League debut with his expert bat retrieval skills, the Nationals couldn't get the job done against the Marlins. Washington went into the last inning 4-1 down but rallied to make it 4-3. The Nationals then had a chance to steal the win with bases loaded and two outs. Marlins pitcher Calvin Faucher stepped onto the mound for the make-or-break pitch and faced off against Nationals outfielder James Wood. Wood popped the ball up and with three Marlins fielders circling the ball, Otto Lopez managed to hold on to the catch following a collision with teammate Kyle Stowers. Bruce the Bat Dog will now have to wait that bit longer for his first win for the Nationals when the team plays on Sunday afternoon.
CNN
7 days ago
- Sport
- CNN
Washington Nationals' ‘top paw-spect' makes MLB debut… Bruce the Bat Dog
The Washington Nationals fell to an agonizing 4-3 defeat in their game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday. But it was not all doom and gloom for the Nationals and their fans as the team's 'top paw-spect' made his long-awaited MLB debut. Bruce the Bat Dog was called up after impressing senior figures in the organization following his time with the Rochester Red Wings – the Triple-A affiliate of the Nationals. The su-paw-star Bruce is a one year and nine-month-old golden retriever who has had Washington fans' tails wagging in recent days. 'Our fans and front office are always excited to see our players get promoted to the Nationals, but Bruce's promotion is a historic call-up to the big leagues that he richly deserves,' Dan Mason, GM of the Red Wings, said in a press release issued on Tuesday. 'Nobody makes people smile more than Bruce, and I'm sure he'll do a WOOFtastic job for the Nats! He has proven himself to be ready for the show in a very short time and has earned the phenom status that has been bestowed upon him. He'll put on a doggone great show for Nats fans on June 14.' According to the Nationals, Bruce leads the organization in 'head pats, belly rubs and 'good boys' since making his first professional appearance'. While Bruce impressed on his Major League debut with his expert bat retrieval skills, the Nationals couldn't get the job done against the Marlins. Washington went into the last inning 4-1 down but rallied to make it 4-3. The Nationals then had a chance to steal the win with bases loaded and two outs. Marlins pitcher Calvin Faucher stepped onto the mound for the make-or-break pitch and faced off against Nationals outfielder James Wood. Wood popped the ball up and with three Marlins fielders circling the ball, Otto Lopez managed to hold on to the catch following a collision with teammate Kyle Stowers. Bruce the Bat Dog will now have to wait that bit longer for his first win for the Nationals when the team plays on Sunday afternoon.
CTV News
14-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Nationals' bat-retrieving dog Bruce laps up pregame attention, makes MLB debut
Bruce, the bat dog, retrieves a bat as he is recognized before a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Miami Marlins, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) WASHINGTON — The dog days of summer arrived Saturday at Nationals Park. Bruce, a 21-month-old Golden Retriever, fetched a bat during a ceremony before the Washington Nationals' game against 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 Triple-A affiliate. 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 Josh Snyder, Bruce's owner. '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 No. 25 Nationals jersey with 'Bruce' on the nameplate, said he drove through the night with Bruce and arrived in Washington around 3 a.m. Saturday. 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 hounded by well-wishers. He also did a couple practice bat retrievals with Snyder's assistance before Nationals catcher Riley Adams stopped to pet him on his way out for pregame work. He won't work during the actual game, however, and will return to Triple-A duties afterward. Bruce is 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 of Rochester. This week — which included an announcement from the Nationals on Tuesday that Bruce had worked his tail off to earn a promotion — generated plenty of buzz even before Saturday's debut. 'Social media, everything like that seems like it's seriously blown up, and we love it,' Snyder said. 'Really good publicity with our goal and our mission of bringing people together. It shows it's just doing that.' Patrick Stevens, The Associated Press
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nationals' bat-retrieving dog Bruce laps up pregame attention, makes MLB debut
WASHINGTON (AP) — The dog days of summer arrived Saturday at Nationals Park. Bruce, a 21-month-old Golden Retriever, fetched a bat during a ceremony before the Washington Nationals' game against 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 Triple-A affiliate. Advertisement 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 Josh Snyder, Bruce's owner. '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 No. 25 Nationals jersey with 'Bruce' on the nameplate, said he drove through the night with Bruce and arrived in Washington around 3 a.m. Saturday. 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 hounded by well-wishers. He also did a couple practice bat retrievals with Snyder's assistance before Nationals catcher Riley Adams stopped to pet him on his way out for pregame work. Advertisement He won't work during the actual game, however, and will return to Triple-A duties afterward. Bruce is 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 of Rochester. This week — which included an announcement from the Nationals on Tuesday that Bruce had worked his tail off to earn a promotion — generated plenty of buzz even before Saturday's debut. 'Social media, everything like that seems like it's seriously blown up, and we love it,' Snyder said. 'Really good publicity with our goal and our mission of bringing people together. It shows it's just doing that.' ___ AP MLB: Patrick Stevens, The Associated Press
