Sometimes when you go down a rabbit hole, you end up pulling a rabbit out of your hat.
For this exercise, the rabbit hole is the history of the Oakland Ahtletics, and the rabbit is Harvey the Rabbit.
Who is Harvey the Rabit, you ask?
Well, back in the 1960’s when the Oakland Athletics were the Kansas City Ahtletics, team owner Charlie Finely decided to install a mechanical rabbit that would pop out of the ground next to home-plate and provide the umpire with a fresh new set of game balls.
Check out this vintage footage below (skip ahead to :26)
The A’s have decided to bring Harvey back to celebrate their 50th anniversary, but this time, he’s modernized and has his own scooter. Controlled by a remote, Harvey’s job remains the same, but this time, he has the wheels to scoot around the field instead of being stationed underground.
He’s even making friends with the A’s mascot, Stomper.
According to MLB.com, the orginal Harvey was beaten by an unknown player. Rumor has it that he was buried behind the outfield wall at the Oakland Coliseum.Harvey will be delivering baseball to the umps prior to opening pitch at each A’s home game. To celebrate Opening Day, A’s fans received a special Harvey the Rabbit backpack.
Watch out Harvey the Hound, Harvey the Rabbit is coming for you.
(h/t MLB.com)
