A bunny stole the show in Marlins-Giants game. It’s not his first sporting event.
Animals at sporting events have taken center stage for quite some time whenever they make an unscheduled appearance.
From a flying bat in a 2009 San Antonio Spurs game to squirrels, cats, dogs, birds and insects showing up unannounced, there’s been plenty caught in a viral moment during the digital age.
The latest, though, was a planned arrival in the stands of the Marlins road game against the Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Meet Alex the bunny, who garnered attention on social media and in Thursday night’s broadcast.
This is Alex the Great and HE'S ON INSTAGRAM.
We thought you should know that. pic.twitter.com/4KmYpiAjpn— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) April 23, 2021
Alex is a 4 1/2 month old bow-tie wearing therapy bunny belonging to Giants fan Kei Kato, who lost her restaurant business due to COVID-19, according to The Associated Press.
Alex, who has his own Instagram page, was making his first appearance at a Giants game, but not his first trip to a sporting event. Kato, who was there with her fiancee Josh Row, told the AP that Alex had gone to a NASCAR race, kayaking, snow tubing at Lake Tahoe and passed out 400 Easter eggs to children as an ambassador for Lions Clubs International, according to AP.
The AP reported it was believed to be the first time in the 22-year history of the park that a rabbit was in the stands, with Giants spokeswoman Staci Slaughter saying, “Never. Crazy. ... If we win tonight, she has to come back tomorrow.”
The Giants beat the Marlins, 3-0.
Alex’s appearance also sparked some puns on Twitter while trending Thursday.
we wanted to make a rabbit pun, but none of them were very bunny#JuntosMiami #MLB #MIAvsSF pic.twitter.com/jvvUmXowSu
— Bally Sports Florida: Marlins (@BallyMarlins) April 23, 2021
Let’s hope the #Marlins can work some Magic and pull one out of their hat tonight.
— Paul Slonaker (@paultheff) April 23, 2021
You can hop on out of the group chat for that one.
— Yeti Blanc (@YetiBlanc_) April 23, 2021