Now, 21 years later, Dinger is still hanging around. "I’m a Dinger fan. I think it’s an exciting tie-in to the historic nature of the dinosaur bones that were found near home plate. I think it’s a good mascot," Governor Jared Polis said during the April 6 press conference at which he and Mayor Michael Hancock celebrated the All-Star Game coming to Denver. "Those who are Dinger naysayers out there, look around at all the other mascots. I used to go to Nationals games when I was in D.C., and watching those three crazy presidents' heads run around is pretty silly. Every game, Jefferson, Washington and — I can’t even remember the third — they have some race, and they can barely balance with their huge heads. I’ll take a purple dinosaur any day over three presidents making fools out of themselves."
How about you? Is Dinger the mascot we want the world to see during Denver's second All-Star Game come July? In comments posted on the Westword Facebook post about the All-Star Game coming to Colorado, readers take some swings at Dinger...and the Rockies ownership. Says Alexander:
Dinger is objectively the worst mascot in all of pro sports! Back to the drawing board, Rox.Adds Frank:
But it's not Dinger's fault. The name is stupid. The costume is stupid. Dinger need to be put out to pasture. New mascot needed pronto.Responds Zach:
Dinger is the absolute best mascot, and you can't convince me otherwise. No one has a good reason for their hate. What better origin story than finding a triceratops skull right where home base would soon be? #DingerPrideCounters Ben:
Don't bash the mascot, bash the person bringing life to it. I agree the owners don't do hardly anything...but that could easily be changed if the Rockies organization cared about anything.
He has cursed the Rockies for years. Time to make him extinct as a dinosaur should be once and for all. I think the vibes for this team after that could be immaculate.Suggests Kevin:
Even my kids think he's too cartoon, make him a little more dinosaur; kids would love that here.Adds Michael:
Nothing some good ol' fat-shaming couldn't cure.Replies Andrew:
Can’t make Dinger great again, because Dinger was never great before!Notes Jimmy:
Best mascot of all the minor-league teams.Responds Fred:
Can Rocky pitch-hit? He's a major player.And Chris concludes:
Westword doesn’t have the cred to talk about Dinger.Oh, we're pretty sure we have the cred to talk about Dinger...and so does everyone else who's ever watched a Colorado Rockies game.
What do you think about Dinger? Do you think this town's baseball team needs a new mascot? Maybe an all-star like Rocky? Post a comment or share your thoughts at [email protected].
