The seven nominees for the 2025 Best New Alternate Identity were a strange lot, encompassing everything from humongous salamanders (Asheville Snot Otters) to alien spuds (New Hampshire Space Potatoes) to the seemingly unstoppable John Oliver-created juggernaut that is the Erie Moon Mammoths. But, in the end, a humble ballpark dog

“Sorry Goose, but it’s time to buzz the tower.” This line from “Top Gun,” spoken by Tom Cruise’s character Maverick just before he flippantly defies orders and flies uncomfortably close to the control tower, helped to inspire a new Minor League team’s identity. At an unveiling event on Thursday evening,

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

Superhero alter-egos aren’t limited to comic books and movies. For a real-life example look to Reading, Pa., where Matt Jackson is the Clark Kent to the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor’s Superman. The Crazy Hot Dog Vendor has been a staple at Reading Fightin Phils games since 2004, executing a schtick

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

On May 4, “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” featured an in-depth segment on Minor League Baseball promotions, which concluded with an offer that teams couldn’t refuse. “We are willing to use all our resources and stupidity to give one Minor League Baseball team a total rebrand,” said Oliver. “We

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

The past, present and future are about to collide: "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" wants to rebrand a Minor League Baseball team. This wholly unexpected offer was announced during Sunday night's episode of the long-running HBO program. Following segments on more serious topics -- usually the show's focus, albeit

On the HBO show “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” the titular host provides his take on issues affecting America and the world at large. May 4’s episode featured a lengthy segment on the most important issue of the day: Minor League Baseball promotions. Over the course of 11 minutes

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

A version of this story originally appeared on MiLB.com in 2018. We present it here as Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day.

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

With Major League and Triple-A Opening Days in the books, the spotlight can fall on the rest of the Minor Leagues.

On Wednesday afternoon the Hartford Yard Goats unveiled "new REAL concession items for the season." The Double-A Colorado Rockies affiliate emphasized the "real" because, the week prior, they immersed themselves in a prank. Farewell, Float Your Goat, we never knew ye. It was always a joke, but so many wanted

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.

First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's

Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.