The Greatest Mascots of Social Media

Baseball is back, and although no fans are in attendance (save for a couple hundred cardboard cutouts) there are still loyal spectators in the stands hyping up their teams: the mascots. 

Their impact extends beyond the walls of their respective stadiums. These fan favorites have taken social media by storm, and have made a name for themselves across the Internet. 

Here are the top three mascots who absolutely dominate social media: 

Wally the Green Monster – The Red Sox

Photo courtesy of @Wally97

Out of all MLB mascots, Wally is arguably the king of Twitter, and regularly uploads content funny enough to make even a Yankees fan crack a smile. From WWE champion Wally Flair to The Office’s very own Michael Scott, Wally has mastered the art of impersonation (even though identity theft is not a joke, Jim) and has created multiple online personalities that his followers adore. 

Although he’s already gained fame and recognition from his years rallying Red Sox fans, a Grammy may also be in Wally’s future. On August 15, Twitter saw the release of HotWallySummer, a music video featuring our favorite Green Monster lounging (inflatable) poolside alongside a unicorn floatie and several cardboard cutouts of players. 

Of course, a photoshoot ensued. 

Wally also has a strong following on TikTok. My personal favorite features Wally sticking Red Sox logos onto cardboard cutouts donning the opposing team’s clothing.   

Mr. Met – The Mets

Photo courtesy of @MrMet

Rivaling Wally for best Twitter presence is Mr. Met, who is widely known for his beef with Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard. Over the years, the two have taken turns subtweeting and bantering with one another; their most notable exchange dates back to Valentine’s Day of 2017, which ended with Syndergaard getting absolutely flamed by his beloved mascot (out of love, of course). 

More recently, Mr. Met has been using his platform to encourage the employment of safe practices during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Since the start of the 2020 season, Mr. Mets’ tweets show him wearing a mask and encouraging others to do the same, speaking to this mascot’s ability to use his platform not only for entertainment, but also for the betterment of the community. 

Slider and the Tribe Hot Dogs – The Indians

Photo courtesy of @SliderTheMascot

Another mascot who continues to kill the social media game is Cleveland’s very own Slider. Although it’s unclear what exactly Slider is, one thing is evident: the joy he brings to his fans and his followers. 

Despite not being able to be with them in person, Slider continues to virtually spread enthusiasm across his fanbase. From posting behind the scenes shots of mascot “spring training” to uploading a birthday montage to celebrate him turning 30 on July 29 (happy belated!), Slider knows how to keep fans happy. 

However, he’s not alone; Slider is accompanied by another fan favorite: the Tribe Hot Dogs.

Like Slider, the trio has established themselves very well on social media. Their content is lighthearted and fun — photoshopping themselves onto GIFs, uploading silly skits and posting videos of their famous Hot Dog Derbies. 

There’s no doubt that their random, hilarious posts keep fans engaged. Recently, Tribe Hot Dogs posted a tribute to the Backstreet Boys. They made it interactive, with the first word of a thread of five tweets spelling out the lyric “I want it that way.” 

Slider and Tribe Hot Dogs have done an incredible job of harnessing social media’s power and entertainment tools to keep their supporters happy.

Believe when I say, Indians fans definitely want it this way.