This Friday and Saturday, the Rangers play the Toronto Blue Jays at Ameriquest Field in Arlington, but they'll host visitors from eight different big league teams. Big, furry visitors.

"We realized we had a unique opportunity with the All-Star Game in Texas this year," said Rangers Director of Events Sherry Flow. "So we invited some of the mascots heading home from Houston to make a stop here and help Rangers Captain entertain some Rangers fans."

The mascot traveling squad consists of characters whose teams play on the road the first weekend after the All-Star break. The merry band hails mostly from the animal kingdom, including avian (The Oriole Bird, St. Louis' Fredbird, and Toronto's Ace), marine (Billy the Marlin and San Francisco's Lou Seal), ursine (Minnesota's T.C.), and unspecified (Boston's Wally the Green Monster) representatives. There's also a man of the cloth (San Diego's Swinging Friar).

"We're really happy with the group we got," said Flow. "Having spent time with them in Houston and seen how much fun they are, I think Rangers fans will really enjoy them. And we plan to give our fans multiple opportunities to interact with these characters."

With the team returning to Arlington after a three-week absence, the club has planned a weekend full of activity. The mascots will have a role in much of the goings-on.

The characters will make an onfield appearance at Friday's game at Ameriquest Field in Arlington. They will add a kid-friendly element to Saturday's annual Family Day Game, in which players play on the field with their children.

Members of the Dr Pepper Junior Rangers will enjoy a party with the group during Saturday's game. The Rangers have also planned a Friday meet-and-greet/autograph session, a visit to a children's hospital, peanut throwing, and dancing.

Saturday night's game features a Rangers Captain bobblehead giveaway, in which the first eight thousand fans (ages 13 and under) entering Ameriquest Field in Arlington will receive a bobbing head figurine in the Texas mascot's likeness. The Dr Pepper Bottling Company of Texas sponsors the promotion.

Friday night's game will include a batting helmet giveaway sponsored by Mrs Baird's, and postgame fireworks presented by Ameriquest Mortgage Company.

Mascots in Arlington July 16-17

The Oriole Bird -- Baltimore Orioles
Billy the Marlin -- Florida Marlins
Wally the Green Monster -- Boston Red Sox
T.C. -- Minnesota Twins
FredBird -- St. Louis Cardinals
The Swinging Friar -- San Diego Padres
Lou Seal -- San Francisco Giants
Ace or Diamond -- Toronto Blue Jays

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.