PEORIA, Ariz. -- The dog treats have become an integral part of Josh Naylor’s routine.
Before hitting the field for infield work and batting practice at Spring Training, the Mariners’ slugging first baseman can be seen stretching on the turf adjacent to the weight room. And at his side is the Mariners’ clubhouse canine, Tucker, scarfing one bite after another from the plate in Naylor’s hand.
It’s become such a clockwork-like exercise that Tucker knows exactly where to be and when.
“I don't give him bad treats,” Naylor insists. “I give him good treats.”
Naylor’s bond with Tucker is only part of what’s endeared him to his new club -- to his teammates for being their lineup’s linchpin, to fans for his intensity and loyalty and to the rest of the region’s athletes by donning Seattle-area jerseys as his go-to work attire on most days.
But Naylor’s relationship with the Mariners’ 8-year-old yellow Labrador and retriever has highlighted his gentler side.
“I love dogs,” Naylor said. “I personally don't think, as humans, we deserve dogs. They're just incredible. They're always happy and loving and can't wait to see you. Their whole lives are a part of our lives, you know? So if you think about it that way, like, why not spoil them every day you can?”
When Naylor arrived last summer, via a Trade Deadline blockbuster with the D-backs, he had no idea that his new team had a clubhouse dog. His first week with the Mariners was on the road and Tucker doesn’t travel.
“The first day I was at home, I'm like, 'Oh, someone just brought their dog in today. That's cool.’ Because you don't really hear about that,” Naylor said. “And then he was there and the next thing, it’s like, 'What is going on right now?' And I'm like, 'OK, this guy's here to stay. Let's embrace him.'”
Naylor even mentioned Tucker during his press conference upon returning to the Mariners on a five-year, $92.5 million free-agent contract in November. He joked that Tucker was a big reason why he came back -- but maybe it wasn’t much of a joke after all.
“He lightens the room up whenever he comes in that clubhouse,” Naylor said. “Everyone wants to pet him, see him, play with him a little bit. I remember last year, there were times whenever I got to the field early, I would ... grab a tennis ball and go on the field with him and just throw that thing as far as I could, and watch him just gallop to the thing.”
At Spring Training, Naylor spoils Tucker with fetch until the dog gets tuckered out. But how about those treats?
“Within reason.”
As Naylor does when working a two-strike count, there’s discipline in his approach when it comes to the dog.
“A good little, small plate,” Naylor said. “I'm not going to overdo it. He's not having a five-course meal with me, but I'll give him a little something-something.”
The assortment is mostly fruit, like apples and bananas, and for protein, it’s grilled chicken. During the regular season, Tucker’s favorite gamedays of the week are Sundays, when the home clubhouse at T-Mobile Park features breakfast -- and with it, bacon that isn’t on the menu for night games.
But that isn’t the case at the Peoria Sports Complex, which is open for culinary business before sunrise every day. Tucker knows this, too, and has many easy targets to satiate his never-ending appetite. His most vulnerable victim is longtime Mariners broadcaster Rick Rizzs, who can’t help himself.
“I heard he gets into good shape for spring, preparing for all the treats,” Naylor said. “Yeah, but see, that's why I feed him how I feed him, because I don't want to -- like, this is about the long haul, 162, for Tucker.”
That part is true, too. Tucker has shed some weight in the nearly five years since he was adopted by the Mariners from OkanDogs, a shelter in Eastern Washington. And for what he puts on during the treat overload at camp, he also burns quite a bit off by constantly being off the leash and on the move here in Arizona.
This is easily Tucker’s favorite time of year, entrenched in a massive facility with six back fields for fetch, endless hallways to explore and countless treats to consume. Even though he goes a full year between visits, every time Tucker arrives in Arizona, he knows exactly what’s in store.
“I think he brings such a light to this whole entire organization,” Naylor said. “Everyone looks forward to seeing him. He roams around the cafeteria as we're all eating. And it lightens your day; it really does. He's a great addition to this place."