The Chicago Cubs New Mascot

Clark
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The Chicago Cubs were one of the four teams in Major League Baseball without a mascot. Now, there are only three. The Chicago Cubs introduced a new mascot Monday. His name is Clark. He is a cub who wears a backwards hat and a Chicago Cubs home jersey. While his name seems to be random, there is actually a reason for it. Clark is named after the intersection where Wrigley Field is located. The intersection is at Clark Street and Addison Street. 

When the gates open on April 4th at Wrigley Field for the Cubs season opener, there will be a new part of the stadium. Clark will have his own clubhouse, fittingly named Clark's Clubhouse, where he will be during a lot of the game. Also, Clark will not be a distraction to the game, which means no dancing or going on to the field. 

Clark is a true Cubs fan. His favorite vacation spot is Mesa, Arizona, the location of the Cubs spring training facility. His number will be 1. One has not be worn by many stars in the Cubs history. Hall of Famers Jimmie Foxx and Richie Ashburn wore the number at the end of their careers. The last person to where the number was Cody Ransom, who wore the number in 2013.

From the June 20th, 1916 edition of Chicago Daily Tribune 

The Cubs last had a mascot in 1916. The mascot that year was a live bear named Joa. The man who presented the Cubs with Joa, J. Ogden Armour, is who he was named after. After the season, Joa was sent to the Lincoln Park Zoo, the local zoo. The Cubs say that Joa is Clark's great-grandfather. There has been a unofficial mascot, Billy Cub, since 2007. Billy Cub was started by a Cubs fan and has never been a affiliated with the franchise. He has been filled with controversy as he is not wanted by the Cubs and many fans. However, Billy Cub still plans to attend the games at Wrigley this year.

I was surprised that the Cubs decided they needed a mascot because I did not think that there was a need for a mascot. However, I understand their reasoning. It makes Wrigley Field more kid/family-friendly. They also hope that it will end of getting rid of Billy Cub, who they openly dislike. When first hearing about it, I was indifferent to the decision. While I am a fan of mascot, there was no need for a mascot. As time goes on, I fill become a fan of Clark, even if I will never like his name.

Some final tidbits about Clark:

• His birthday is in August
• His favorite color is Cubbie Blue
• He throws and hits righty