Minor League Baseball is known for a great many things, but its creative and often outlandish team names and mascots is among the best. I don’t care what you say, the Akron Rubber Ducks and the Savannah Bananas (if we count summer college leagues) are the best.
Not everyone is on board, though. The Miami Marlins’ AAA franchise in New Orleans, formerly the Zephyrs, raised some eyebrows this week with the unveiling of a new mascot:
We're proud to introduce our new identity – the New Orleans Baby Cakes! pic.twitter.com/6kWLXkRmCf
— NOLA Baby Cakes (@cakesbaseball) November 15, 2016
I think the only beef you could have with the name (which is otherwise awesome in my book, baby cakes – or do you prefer sweet cheeks?) is that the classic cake you associate with New Orleans and a baby is actually called a “king cake.” The baby just happens to be inside of it.
But the Baby Cakes aren’t the only new and creative minor league mascot. The Marlins’ AA affiliate in Jacksonville, formerly the Suns, also underwent quite a transformation:
Hello Jacksonville!!! pic.twitter.com/6rnpjsU1ce
— Jax Jumbo Shrimp (@JaxShrimp) November 2, 2016
Depending on how jumbo that shrimp actually is, I would probably not want to mess with him. So there’s a successful intimidation factor there for the club.
As part of a naming contest, the Mets’ AA affiliate (formerly the Mets) are now the Rumble Ponies:
It’s fine. I prefer when a silly-ish name is met with a silly-ish logo, but I can’t argue that that pony looks ready for a rumble.
The Rangers will soon have a brand new affiliate in the Carolina League with a geographically appropriate name, but no logo yet:
New name announced today, logo hatching soon! #DEWD pic.twitter.com/Fi9kGN4b72
— Down East Wood Ducks (@GoWoodDucks) November 2, 2016
Maybe just leave it as the egg. The mascot can be this guy.
And then there are the Braves, who introduced a new central Florida affiliate:
Hey, Central Florida! Meet your new hometown @MiLB team, the Florida Fire Frogs. pic.twitter.com/ixFrH6tH7h
— Fire Frogs Baseball (@FireFrogsBB) October 26, 2016
Spittin’ fire, AMIRITE?