RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Ripken The Bat Dog, a 6-year-old black Labrador Retriever from Apex, has actually made a big social media following as he obtains bats for the Durham Bulls and kickoff tees for the N.C. State football group.
“It’s been insane,” said owner Michael O’Donnell. “You stroll downtown and individuals go, ‘I believe that’s Ripken.’ And I start to laugh and I go, ‘You’re right, that is Ripken.’ And they wish to come by and get animals or ‘pawtographs’ is what we call them or photos with them. So it’s insane how his popularity is actually exploded, however his head isn’t any larger.”
Ripken will now handle a brand-new sport when he drops the puck in the opening event for the Carolina Hurricanes Stadium Series Game at Carter Finley Stadium on Saturday night versus the Washington Capitals.
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“This is the peak of his profession up until now, I believe,” O’Donnell said. “I believe he took control of Bo Jackson’s title. Now, you understand, he’s a real three-sport professional athlete.”
O’Donnell said Ripken has actually been practicing his huge puck drop for weeks and he is prepared for his minute in the spotlight.
“He’s been walking around with that puck like a pacifier,” O’Donnell included.
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