PORTLAND, Maine — On a picture-perfect July evening, fans flooded into Portland's Hadlock Field to catch a ballgame.
As usual, the players received a warm welcome from the crowd as they took the field. In the middle of the first inning, one could argue, the fans cheered even louder as the mascot Slugger the Sea Dog entered the stadium, standing on the back of a golf cart. A 2024 Mascot Hall of Fame Inductee, the friendly-looking seal is quite popular around the park.
But, while Slugger waded up and down the stands, giving high-fives to eager fans, another costumed character refused to be eclipsed on this night.
A Croc-wearing, jort-jiggling, bug-eyed green trash monster made its way onto the far end of the concourse. The trash monster waved its skinny arms in circles and was immediately surrounded by children.
"The big guy in jorts is still a fan favorite as well," said team President and General Manager Geoff Iacuessa. "Not as agile as Slugger, obviously, but still very popular."
The monsters—two adults and a baby— are unsung heroes and have been for 30 years. Sea Dogs VP of Communications & Fan Experience Chris Cameron explained the funky trash collectors debuted early in the club's inaugural 1994 season, shortly preceding Slugger.
"Whoever developed the idea, it was genius because it does two things for us; it keeps the ballpark clean and it keeps the kids entertained," Cameron added. "And that is a perfect combination."
The monsters have oversized mouths, lined with a black trash bag. They patrol the bleachers during the game, encouraging fans to place garbage in them.
As I watched nearby from the stands, I was surprised to see the sheer number of people, children and adults alike, who made a point, not only to put trash inside the monster, but also high-five, fist bump, and generally exude love for the mascots. They did not throw items but instead, gently placed them inside the creature's mouth.
As the team and mascots celebrate 30 years this season, the club honored the monsters with their own bobblehead during their July 30 home game—immortalizing the creatures that had long become an attraction of their own at Hadlock Field.