The Daytona Cubs have a brand new, equally as fearsome mascot: The Tortugas

Ladies and gentlemen, we present the most interesting baseball mascot of 2015. 

For 22 years, the Minor League baseball team in Daytona, Florida bore the Cubs moniker. The people of Daytona watched their team grow up -- from fresh-faced cherub to awkward adolescent, learning to drive and getting the right to vote. By the end of 2014, with six Florida State League championships to its name, Daytona had a full-fledged baseball team making a name for itself in the world.

But as one of more than 20 MiLB clubs changing affiliations ahead of the 2015 season, switching parent organizations from the Cubs to the Reds, Daytona was in need not just of a new mascot, but a whole new identity. And when you're picking a new identity, you want something really powerful, a name that will strike fear into your opponents.

So on Thursday, the team was born anew as the Daytona Tortugas.

Yes, that's right: Tortugas. As in, the Spanish word for turtle.

We are extremely excited to announce our new team name: The Daytona Tortugas! Advanced-A Affiliate of the #Reds #MiLB pic.twitter.com/gzGaPN05Am

- Daytona Tortugas (@daytonatortugas) December 4, 2014

"We knew that we were going to go with an independent name," explained Daytona general manager Josh Lawther, of the team's decision not to tie itself to an MLB mascot and instead strike out on its own. Honestly, we can't think of a better choice.

Lawther lays out the reasoning for the new reptilian mascot, both the scientific -- "Their nesting season runs parallel to the baseball season, and that adds to the continuity of it" -- and the not-so-scientific -- "Because at the end, what it comes down to is, 'Who doesn't like a turtle?'" -- and we can't argue with either, but really, there's no explanation necessary.

Fans: YOU decide our mascot's name! Vote on the @dbnewsjournal homepage http://t.co/OdxPd4V1Ob through 12/12. pic.twitter.com/9hkFj5IPLw

- Daytona Tortugas (@daytonatortugas) December 4, 2014

(Note: Shelldon is the correct answer, here.)

Simply, turtles are one of Earth's most powerful creatures. There's a reason so many creation myths involve the world sprouting on the shell of a turtle, after all. There's a reason there are comic books and movies about four anthropomorphic turtles defending New York City, and the world, from danger. 

So don't think this is like giving a child the freedom to pick his own name and landing on Frankenstein. This is a team that knows an intimidating mascot when it sees one. We're just surprised there aren't more teams named the Turtles, or Tortugas, or even the French Tortues. Maybe Daytona will start a trend.