Animals on the Field: A Brief and Not-Fake History

Jimmy Piersall utilized “kicking” more often than is usual in the sport.

As noted by Dayn Perry earlier today — and the whole internet over the past 12 or so hours — a squirrel found its way onto the field of play and into our hearts yesternight during Game Four of a heated NLDS battle between Philadelphia and St. Louis.

While last night’s sequence of events certainly has its owns charms, it’s hardly the most notable instance of an animal making its way onto the baseball diamond. Some research in the Annals (that’s with two Ns, reader) of Base-and-Ball reveals the following, entirely unfabricated instances of animals on the field.

1921: In an effort to address poor attendance numbers, Detroit fields a team of all actual tigers. Eight fans are mauled — seven of them, it turns out, by Ty Cobb.

1950: The mostly feral Jim Piersall begins his pro baseball career.

1973: Cleveland’s Chris Chambliss begins referring to teammate Walt Williams as “Black Teen Wolf” — a reference that is lost on everyone as it predates the Michael J. Fox vehicle by over 10 years.

1995: In its effort to gather nuts for winter, a Jacobs Field squirrel finds its way into Albert Belle’s jockstrap. Hilarity ensues — immediately after which, a dead squirrel ensues.

2014: David Eckstein spends the entire season under Starlin Castro’s hat, giving him secret tips on fielding, hustle, and French cuisine.