Saturday, July 16, 2011

Batter Up!

This is a post I've been meaning to write for a while , but as this story illustrates good intentions are not always enough.

Amarillo isn't exactly known for professional sports, unless you count the heydays of pro wrestling back in the 60s and 70s but we have had a few, minor league independent type teams here. And for the most part these teams have had hideous nicknames.

A hockey team called the Amarillo Gorillas and a baseball team dubbed the Amarillo Dillas being the worst of the bunch.

Way back when we had an actual major league affiliated baseball club called the Gold Sox. The Gold Sox were affiliated with a  variety of teams over the years, The Baltimore Orioles, The New York Yankees, The Chicago Cubs, and for the last time the Sand Diego Padres, But the team was moved in 1982 and though we've had a variety of independent teams since then they have mostly been teams devoid of name talent or operating capital.

The Dillas finally died a death of bankruptcy last year and we got a new independent team this year. Paying homage to the teams of yesteryear the dubbed this new team the Sox.

Deciding the squad needed a mascot they hired a California firm to design  one.

The plan was to name it Socks.

The result was riDICulous.



Needless to say the mascot was booed out of the stadium on the first night.

They have since brought out a new mascot.



So in baseball terms, the Amarillo Sox have gone from a bat to ball.

19 comments:

Barb said...

OMG! Cannot believe someone actually came up with that. How hysterical. Thanks for the laugh.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Hahahaha! Yeah, I've seen a photo of that sock mascot before. It was on Memebase as part of the series "I've got the weirdest boner" -- LOL!

Glad to know it is Amarillo's contribution to internet meme culture!

jjdebenedictis said...

Wow. Someone got paid to invent Mr. Cartoon Boner? Now there's a great racket.

Kristen Painter said...

Hmm. After reading the title, I thought this post was going to be about pancakes.

Old Kitty said...

I liked Socks.

Take care
x

Jenn Jilks said...

You are a nutball!!
There are big issues around Ottawa regarding keeping a team of one sort or another.
Good post. Glad you are having success.
Thanks for visiting my kittens. Two of my three kids are allergic to cats. Who knew?! Thank goodness they've moved out and gotten jobs and live with others...
Having given up softball, I still have wheels. But old age sucks!

Cloudia said...

guess the Philly Fanatic is an elder statesman!


Aloha from Waikiki;


Comfort Spiral

><}}(°>


> < } } ( ° >

< ° ) } } > <

DrillerAA09 said...

Not a fan of mascots.
Our Northwest Arkansas "Naturals" are a AA affiliate of the Royals. The mascot is a Sasquatch! Go figure.

the walking man said...

How do you suppose the dad there explained that to his kid? "Yes son that is what what your foot looks like once it's in your shoe!

If they had put a condom on it it would have been a great teaching moment.

Kevin R. Tipple said...

lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Somebody got paid to come up with tat idea. An idea that had to be approved multiple times by multiple fools.


Kevin
http://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/

Charles Gramlich said...

talk about a belly laugh. I needed that. Thanks.

Unknown said...

Texas does indeed lead the way.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Almost all mascots are ridiculous but that one might lead the parade.

Mary Witzl said...

That first mascot is just too good to be true! Who didn't take a good look at that and see what they'd gone and done?

I'd call that second one Mr. Sux.

Kath Calarco said...

I liked the old version. Better than a person covered in socks. Sorry it bit the dust. Where are people's humor?

Melissa Amateis said...

I actually cringed when I saw the first idea - I can't believe they thought people would like it!

There is a town close to where I grew up who used to have the mascot of the Gorillas. A more ridiculous thing I cannot imagine since it's smack dab in the middle of nowhere Nebraska.

And, of course, the Cornhuskers used to be the Nebraska Bugeaters. :eyeroll

Mr. Shife said...

I saw this on Yahoo and had a good laugh about it. Someone made a mistake in designing that costume. Play ball.

Jerry said...

I'm trying to understand who would put on that costume and step out into public.

Spy Scribbler said...

That is HILARIOUS, Travis! LOLOL!