Hey Rockies: Ditch the Dinosaur

My sister, a baseball fan who's married to another baseball fan, called me just after midnight in New York City. We're watching the game, she said. Here's a question. Is the Colorado Rockies mascot a pentaceratops that turns around behind the plate and wiggles his hands at the pitcher or...

By Patricia Calhoun

October 2, 2007

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My sister, a baseball fan who's married to another baseball fan, called me just after midnight in New York City.

We're watching the game, she said. Here's a question. Is the Colorado Rockies mascot a pentaceratops that turns around behind the plate and wiggles his hands at the pitcher or wiggles his bottom at the pitcher?

We're not drunk, her husband added.

No, we're not drunk, she said. We're just confused.

Who isn't?

According to the Colorado Rockies' A-Z guide on its website, Dinger, who debuted as the Rockies' mascot when it hatched at Mile High Stadium in April 1994, is officially a triceratops -- although since the site also describes Dinger as "lovable," any information you find here is open to debate.

There's no question, though, that even without the bottom wiggles, Dinger is the most embarrassing mascot in the major leagues. Not to mention the mustiest: The last time I got up close and personal with Dinger, it was opening day, and I thought he could use a good vacuuming.

But we'd settle for a sweep of Philadelphia. -- Patricia Calhoun

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

Contact: Patricia Calhoun

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