Here's 'Big Game' James Shields petting a black Lab named Big Game James
James Shields meets dog named in his honor
Royals pitcher James Shields was at the Trop on Wednesday to take on the Rays when he was greeted by a new friend: a dog named Big Game James.
The black Labrador retriever is an American Kennel Club grand champion - a fact that made Shields proud to share a nickname with the pooch: "If you want to be a champion, touch him," he told his teammates."
Of course, Shields first rose to stardom during his time with the Rays, and it's clear the fans in Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg are still fond of the guy. Big Game James' owner is a Rays season ticket holder, and brought the dog along to meet its namesake.
And the two got along famously:
As did the rest of the Royals:
