Spring training is that time of year when baseball shakes off the winter rust and players get back into the groove. Raccoons decide they, too, want a front-row seat to the action.
Tuesday’s matchup between the Detroit Tigers and the Atlanta Braves was a fairly standard affair. There was solid pitching, some early-season adjustments, and an unexpected furry guest.
Jack Flaherty made a strong start on the mound, and the Tigers won 3-1. On the Braves side, Grant Holmes turned in an impressive five innings of scoreless work. He’s doing his best to make an early case for a roster spot. All in all, it was a typical day at the ballpark.
Nature Decided to Watch the Braves Game
Sometime in the bottom of the second inning, the Braves broadcast caught sight of a raccoon perched right on top of the team’s bullpen. Now, if you’ve spent any time around raccoons, you know they do what they want when they want, and this little guy was no exception.
Despite the best efforts of a Braves pitcher and what appeared to be a stadium employee, the raccoon had zero interest in leaving. He was there to enjoy the game, just like everyone else.
Spring training is always good for a few unexpected, often hilarious moments. Whether it’s a bird swooping in at the wrong time, a rogue sprinkler delaying play, or, in this case, a raccoon deciding he’s a baseball fan.
Maybe he was scouting talent. Maybe he was just looking for a snack. Whatever his motivation, he became the star of the show for a brief moment. Isn’t that what spring baseball is all about?
