The seven nominees for the 2025 Best New Alternate Identity were a strange lot, encompassing everything from humongous salamanders (Asheville Snot Otters) to alien spuds (New Hampshire Space Potatoes) to the seemingly unstoppable John Oliver-created juggernaut that is the Erie Moon Mammoths. But, in the end, a humble ballpark dog emerged triumphant.
On Monday evening, during the MLB Network's MiLB Awards Show, the Barkansas Dizzys were announced as Minor League Baseball's Best New Alternate Identity. This alter ego of the Arkansas Travelers (Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners) won an online fan vote, retrieving over 25 percent of the ballots cast.
More on the MiLB Awards Show:
Barkansas Dizzys is a celebration of Dizzy, an 8-year-old English cream golden retriever. He's the constant companion of Travelers vice president of stadium operations Greg Johnston, who began working for the North Little Rock-based Texas League club in 1975. During ballgames, they often sit on the concourse near the home-plate entrance of Dickey-Stephens Park, where Dizzy greets fans and signs "pawtographs." (A stamp of his actual paw print.)
"People come to the ballpark specifically to see Dizzy," said Travelers general manager Sophie Ozier. "Sometimes you see a kid who gets anxious or stressed. ... There's a lot of loud noises and music, and they find this dog on the concourse. I've seen kids walk up and lay down on Dizzy on the concourse and just sit there and snuggle with them. It's been really cool to see, Greg having built that environment and that experience for our fans."
The Barkansas Dizzys identity, created in partnership with local design firm Eric Rob & Isaac, had been in the works for several years. The idea to play as the Dizzys -- the Travelers did so for an entire six-game series in June -- was sparked by Dizzy's daily presence in the front office as he makes his rounds and receives treats. The color scheme combines Dizzy's cream colored fur with what Ozier refers to as "old school" Seattle Mariners colors.
"When we first saw the logo, with the stars in his eyes and the drool dripping from the baseball, we were like 'That is perfect. That is absolutely Dizzy,'" said Ozier. "It's very common that people come up to greet Dizzy and they go to grab the baseball from his mouth and it's covered in drool."
The Travelers played as the Dizzys, from June 10-15, with highlights including Dizzy's birthday party, an appearance by a robot dog and local animal rescue organizations on site (several dogs were adopted right at the ballpark).
"It was a celebration of Dizzy and a celebration of Greg and what he's done for the organization," said Ozier. "This whole identity he's built, having this amazing dog."