Part of the job of Major League Baseball mascots is to provide distraction during the game, away from the game. Baseball has been maligned for its lack of activity over the course of a three-hour game, and mascots are often relied upon to keep the younger fans entertained.
In recent years, it’s become customary for some mascots to engage in pranks and shenanigans. They are usually harmless and don’t receive much attention.
But Orbit, the mascot of the AL West leading Houston Astros, has elevated mascot hijinks to an art form.
Well Chris Archer, starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays has had enough. The right-hander took to Twitter to make the declaration official on Monday.
Oh no. @ChrisArcher22 has delivered his Declaration of Unfriendliness to @OrbitAstros. pic.twitter.com/IyiyJPPlXy
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 1, 2017
You’d think an organization like the Rays, who are fighting for their playoff lives would say something along the lines of “Hey, uh, Chris, maybe focus on pitching and stuff.”
Not a chance.
In an official statement, they tweeted their endorsement of Archer’s declaration.
#Rays statement on the recent news of @ChrisArcher22 and @OrbitAstros. pic.twitter.com/d9J0JX4OBt
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 1, 2017
Meanwhile, Orbit is playing dumb, pretending to be totally oblivious to the goings-on.
Just a guy trying to watch a game @ChrisArcher22. Nothing to see here. #MasterOfDisguise pic.twitter.com/YLg3pTdbs4
— Houston Astros Orbit (@OrbitAstros) August 1, 2017
The Rays are 2.5 games out of a Wild Card berth, and are chasing the Kansas City Royals for the second spot. Good to see them having a good time while enjoying their most competitive season since Joe Maddon was their manager.
Something tells me we haven’t seen the last of these two.
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