Trenton bat dog Dies Soon After Retirement

Trenton bat dog Dies

The Minor League Baseball league was recently struck with tragedy. On Monday, July 8, 2013, The Minor League Baseball league lost one of its long time members. Chase the bat retrieving dog, who was the mascot for the Trenton Thunder of Minor League Baseball, passed away.

“Chase was such a tremendous part of the Trenton Thunder identity for more than 10 years,” Thunder general manager Will Smith said. “His presence at Arm & Hammer Park or in the community was the epitome of the wholesome family entertainment for which we strive. Our ballplayers, staff, season ticket holders and all the men, women and children who he entertained and interacted with over the past decade will miss him dearly.”

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/Blog/2013/07/10/Trenton-Thunder-bat-dog-Chase-dies-at-13-following-cancer-diagnosis/3291373479879/#ixzz2YgUFQFEU

This comes as sad news not only because chase lost his life, but also because chase just recently retired. Three days earlier, on Friday, July 5, Chase officially retired as mascot from the Trenton Thunder. On that same day, he was given a retirement party to commemorate all his hard years of work.

Apparently Chase had been struggling with his health since February 2013. During that month, Chase was diagnosed with some form of cancer that is believed to have played a significant role in his loss of life.

Since debuting for the thunder in 2002, Chase delivered fans constant entertainment for 10 straight seasons.

Chase’s legacy will always be remembered for the things that he did on the field. While on the job, Chase would constantly deliver bats to and from the dugout for the players. He was also a joy to umpires as he constantly delivered them water bottles throughout games.

Yankees player Joba Chamberlain explained what he liked about the Trenton bat dog to The Post:

“He was really good at what he does. It was so cool to see all the things he did, not only gets bats and balls, but just interacting with kids. Yes, he was the bat dog but just the smile he put on the kids faces was so special. He was more than the bat dog, he was family.”

According to UPI, Chase’s son Derby, who had been helping pops retrieve bats since 2010, will take on his father role with the Thunder. Chase’s other son, Ollie, is also in the family business as the bat-retriever for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Check out a video below of the Trenton bat dog at work.

Trenton Thunder lost a serious retriever talent when Chase retired. Fans sent an outpouring of sympathy to the team on hearing about the loss.

The Thunder family appreciates our fans' outpouring of support today. A sampling of the Tweets we've received: pic.twitter.com/G4QZm9yZsJ

— Trenton Thunder (@TrentonThunder) July 9, 2013

The Thunder’s website Tuesday featured a photo of their late mascot with a bat in his mouth and the caption, “In Loving Memory, Chase: That Golden Thunder.”

On The Web:

Trenton’s bat-retrieving dog dies
http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130710/SPORTS03/130709361/trenton-s-bat-retrieving-dog-dies

Trenton Thunder Bat Dog Chase Dies At Age 13
http://www.inquisitr.com/840595/trenton-bat-dog-chase/

Trenton Thunder bat dog, Chase, dies at 13 following cancer diagnosis
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/Blog/2013/07/10/Trenton-Thunder-bat-dog-Chase-dies-at-13-following-cancer-diagnosis/3291373479879/?spt=hs&or=on

Trenton ‘Bat Dog’ Chase Dies at Age 13 (+Video)
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/167518-trenton-bat-dog-chase-dies-at-age-13-video/