Recent Quotes View Full List My Watchlist Create Watchlist Indicators DJI Nasdaq Composite SPX Gold Crude Oil Hydroworld Market Index Markets Stocks ETFs Tools Overview News Currencies International Treasuries Minor league baseball team's Ozempig mascot irks fans; officials brush off criticism By: FOXNews.com March 29, 2024 at 20:15 PM EDT The St. Paul Saints came under fire for naming their pig mascot Ozempig after the popular weight loss drug Ozempic, but some say they struck out. A minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins started the 2024 season off a little hotter than expected even before it had a chance to throw out a first pitch.The St. Paul Saints, who play in the International League, named their living, breathing pig mascot Ozempig after the popular weight loss drug Ozempic. Not everyone thought it was a home run. The Saints received criticism almost immediately after announcing the name last weekend, and some see it as fat shaming.Sean Aronson, the Saints' vice president and media relations director, told The Associated Press Friday the organization was only trying to name its mascot something amusing and topical when it chose Ozempig. Aronson said officials were stunned many found the name offensive.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"In today's world, people don't want to be diminished, they don't want to be made to feel a certain way, and I'm not going to tell them how they feel is wrong," he said. "But I can tell you there was no ill intent. There was no maliciousness. There was never even a discussion in the room when we were going over the name that, ‘Hey, this may offend some people.’"Fans were mostly upset over its backstory — the pig's embarrassment at gaining weight and its effort at staying trim.The Saints, part of the independent American Association from 2006 to 2020 before entering the minor league baseball system, are accustomed to wild promotions. Fun usually comes second nature to the teams.NATIONALS' NICK SENZEL BREAKS THUMB IN WARMUPS AHEAD OF OPENING DAY: 'IT'S AWFUL'In 2013, the Saints played a game without umpires. Instead, a judge called pitches behind the plate, and a jury of Little Leaguers umpired first and third with the judge able to overrule them.The organization clowned Anthony Weiner over his sexting scandal in 2011 with the first 1,501 fans 18 years or older receiving "Tweeting Weiner Boxer Shorts."Crash Davis, Kevin Costner’s character in the beloved baseball movie "Bull Durham," may have said it best."This game’s fun, OK? It’s fun godd-----."Saints fans came to the defense of the team, and Aronson said he understood where other people’s positions were rooted. But the name of the pig isn't changing."We knew how we originally came up with the name, and we're good with it. But we did discuss it and decided we're going to keep it," he added.The Saints were scheduled to begin the season Friday night but weather postponed it. The team will play the Columbus Clippers Saturday.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Related Stocks: Fancamp Exploration Ltd Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io Stock quotes supplied by Barchart Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes. By accessing this page, you agree to the following Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Minor league baseball team's Ozempig mascot irks fans; officials brush off criticism By: FOXNews.com March 29, 2024 at 20:15 PM EDT The St. Paul Saints came under fire for naming their pig mascot Ozempig after the popular weight loss drug Ozempic, but some say they struck out. A minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins started the 2024 season off a little hotter than expected even before it had a chance to throw out a first pitch.The St. Paul Saints, who play in the International League, named their living, breathing pig mascot Ozempig after the popular weight loss drug Ozempic. Not everyone thought it was a home run. The Saints received criticism almost immediately after announcing the name last weekend, and some see it as fat shaming.Sean Aronson, the Saints' vice president and media relations director, told The Associated Press Friday the organization was only trying to name its mascot something amusing and topical when it chose Ozempig. Aronson said officials were stunned many found the name offensive.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM"In today's world, people don't want to be diminished, they don't want to be made to feel a certain way, and I'm not going to tell them how they feel is wrong," he said. "But I can tell you there was no ill intent. There was no maliciousness. There was never even a discussion in the room when we were going over the name that, ‘Hey, this may offend some people.’"Fans were mostly upset over its backstory — the pig's embarrassment at gaining weight and its effort at staying trim.The Saints, part of the independent American Association from 2006 to 2020 before entering the minor league baseball system, are accustomed to wild promotions. Fun usually comes second nature to the teams.NATIONALS' NICK SENZEL BREAKS THUMB IN WARMUPS AHEAD OF OPENING DAY: 'IT'S AWFUL'In 2013, the Saints played a game without umpires. Instead, a judge called pitches behind the plate, and a jury of Little Leaguers umpired first and third with the judge able to overrule them.The organization clowned Anthony Weiner over his sexting scandal in 2011 with the first 1,501 fans 18 years or older receiving "Tweeting Weiner Boxer Shorts."Crash Davis, Kevin Costner’s character in the beloved baseball movie "Bull Durham," may have said it best."This game’s fun, OK? It’s fun godd-----."Saints fans came to the defense of the team, and Aronson said he understood where other people’s positions were rooted. But the name of the pig isn't changing."We knew how we originally came up with the name, and we're good with it. But we did discuss it and decided we're going to keep it," he added.The Saints were scheduled to begin the season Friday night but weather postponed it. The team will play the Columbus Clippers Saturday.The Associated Press contributed to this report.Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. Related Stocks: Fancamp Exploration Ltd