Introducing the Moon Mammoths
Erie Moon Mammoths
Created by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Meet the Moon Mammoth, the mascot masterminded by John Oliver’s show
In the summer of 1991, a scuba diver named George Moon was combing the depths of Lake Pleasant in Erie County, Pa. When he broke the surface, he was carrying with him an almost three-foot long bone. Moon had no idea then that what he’d stumbled across was the shoulder blade of a creature that had walked the land in Erie something like 12 millennia ago. He also had no idea that this prehistoric discovery would one day somehow become a part of baseball history.
It turned out what Moon had found was just a small part of a very large mammoth, and on further dives that Moon and others made into that part of Lake Pleasant, about 80 percent of the massive mammal’s remains were found, including both its tusks. It became known locally in Erie as the Moon Mammoth and now, more than three decades later, thanks to “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver and his team of writers, this story is getting dug up again as a brand new alternate identity for the Erie SeaWolves, Double-A affiliate of the Tigers. Learn more
Meet the Moon Mammoth, the mascot masterminded by John Oliver’s show
In the summer of 1991, a scuba diver named George Moon was combing the depths of Lake Pleasant in Erie County, Pa. When he broke the surface, he was carrying with him an almost three-foot long bone. Moon had no idea then that what he’d stumbled across was the shoulder blade of a creature that had walked the land in Erie something like 12 millennia ago. He also had no idea that this prehistoric discovery would one day somehow become a part of baseball history.
It turned out what Moon had found was just a small part of a very large mammoth, and on further dives that Moon and others made into that part of Lake Pleasant, about 80 percent of the massive mammal’s remains were found, including both its tusks. It became known locally in Erie as the Moon Mammoth and now, more than three decades later, thanks to “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver and his team of writers, this story is getting dug up again as a brand new alternate identity for the Erie SeaWolves, Double-A affiliate of the Tigers. Learn more
Moon Mammoths return: September 12
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John Oliver on hand, Moon Mammoths make debut to remember
ERIE, Pa. -- Wearing the black-and-purple Moon Mammoths jersey and hat designed by his “Last Week Tonight” staff, John Oliver, the HBO star, threw out a ceremonial first pitch -- caught by Moon (well, actually, dropped, if we’re being honest … but at least he didn’t drop that bone back in 1991) -- prior to Erie’s 6-5 loss to the Chesapeake Baysox.
Moon Mammoths' magic falls short in identity debut
The Erie Moon Mammoths (9-10, 54-34 overall) fell to the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers (8-12, 39-48) on July 19, 6-5. UPMC Park had a season-high attendance of 7,070 for the much-anticipated theme night cooked up by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
Here's the Erie SeaWolves' email that won over John Oliver
On the May 4, 2025, episode of "Last Week Tonight With John Oliver," the comedian put out a call to Minor League Baseball teams: Let us rebrand you! The offer came with one stipulation. The winning team was not allowed to ask any questions or provide any notes, and was obligated to do the idea the TV show staff came up with.
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Meet the Moon Mammoth, the mascot masterminded by John Oliver’s show
In the summer of 1991, a scuba diver named George Moon was combing the depths of Lake Pleasant in Erie County, Pa. When he broke the surface, he was carrying with him an almost three-foot long bone. Moon had no idea then that what he’d stumbled across was the shoulder...
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Meet the Moon Mammoth, the mascot masterminded by John Oliver’s show
In the summer of 1991, a scuba diver named George Moon was combing the depths of Lake Pleasant in Erie County, Pa. When he broke the surface, he was carrying with him an almost three-foot long bone. Moon had no idea then that what he’d stumbled across was the shoulder...
