An incomplete (but completely awesome) history of mascots in Tucson
Here's a look at the fuzzy, wacky walkaround animals β and one live Wildcat β that has kept Tucson sports fans smiling for decades.
The Kino Bambino
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Tucson Padres mascot "Kino Bambino" watched the team's first workout at Kino Stadium, Monday, April 4, 2011 as they prepare for their opening game on April 15th.Β
The San Diego Chicken at Kino Stadium
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San Diego Chicken and chicks take a little break by umpire Alex Rea between the 3rd and 4th inning at the Sidewinders Las Vegas game.Β
The San Diego Chicken at Kino Stadium
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San Diego Chicken plays with the crowd atop the Las Vegas dugout during the sixth inning of the Sidewinders Las Vegas game.Β
The San Diego Chicken at Kino Stadium
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The San Diego Chicken performs during Tucson Padres vs Las Vegas 51s game at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The San Diego Chicken at Kino Stadium
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The San Diego Chicken performs with the little chicks during Tucson Padres vs Las Vegas 51s game at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in the inning on June 10, 2011.
The San Diego Chicken at Kino Stadium
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The San Diego Chicken kisses the Kino Bambino during Tucson Padres vs Las Vegas 51s game at Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in the inning on June 10, 2011.
The Tucson High Badger
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Tucson High junior Bree Rios has an involved conversation with the school's badger mascot during the waning minutes of Tucson High's game against Mountain View, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009.
Bucky the Buena Colt
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Emlyn Vezzosi has fun with Buena mascot Bucky before a 2007 game vs. Chandler Hamilton.
The Tanque Verde Hawk
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The Tanque Verde mascot gives a high five to fans Sierra Cole, 15, left, and Lane Simons, 16.
The Mountain View Mountain Lion
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Mountain View's mascot leads the band at halftime Friday, Nov. 8, 2013, at Mountain View High School.
Chaco at Kino Stadium
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Chacho, right, the ever-playful Mexicali mascot, greets a player at third base after hitting a triple during Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta at Kino Sports Complex on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017.
Beto Coyote at Kino Stadium
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The Hermosillo mascot Beto Coyote gestures at a batter in the second inning of their game against Obregon at the Mexican Baseball Fiesta, Kino Sports Complex, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017.
Sticky the Tucson Saguaro
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The Tucson Saguaros mascot Sticky (Ken Weir) leads children in running the bases during the Saguaro's game against the Trinidad Triggers on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Kino Stadium in Tucson, Arizona.
Dusty the Roadrunner
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"Dusty," the Tucson Roadrunners mascot, along with his Arizona Coyotes mascot pal "Howler," gets a screaming welcome from elementary students at Tully Elementary Magnet School, 1701 W. El Rio Drive, on Oct. 27, 2016, at his official unveiling in Tucson, Ariz.Β
Dusty the Roadrunner
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"Dusty," the Tucson Roadrunners mascot, tosses out rubber bracelets to students at Tully Elementary Magnet School, 1701 W. El Rio Drive, on Oct. 27, 2016, after his official unveiling in Tucson, Ariz.
Dusty the Roadrunner
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"Dusty," the Tucson Roadrunners mascot, high-fives with students at Tully Elementary Magnet School, 1701 W. El Rio Drive, on Oct. 27, 2016, after his official unveiling in Tucson, Ariz.
Sandy the Sidewinder
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Sandy the Sidewinder visits with players, including Jamie D'Antona (30), during media day at Tucson Electric Park in April 2007.
Sandy the Sidewinder
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Tucson Sidewinders' mascot 'Sandy' gets into the Fourth of July spirit in 2006 in Tucson, Ariz. The Sidewinders beat the Tacoma Rainiers 4-3 on the Fourth.Β
Sandy the Sidewinder
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Arizona Daily Star Sports reporter Patrick Finley works as 'Sandy the Sidewinder Mascot' during a Sidewinders AAA game at Tucson Electric Park, Thursday, June 22, 2006, in Tucson, Ariz. Patrick worked a variety of jobs during the Sidewinders vs Las Vegas game for a Sunday Feature story.
Sandy the Sidewinder
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Sandy the Sidewinder mascot gets high fives from San Xavier Mission School students featuring members of the Tucson Sidewinders on the first stop of the team's two-day Winter Caravan.
Sandy the Sidewinder
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Sandy the Sidewinder mascot gets a high five from first-grader Jessica Jose, 6, at the end of an assembly at San Xavier Mission School featuring members of the Tucson Sidewinders on the first stop of the team's two-day Winter Caravan.
Tuffy the Toro
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Tuffy the Toro looks for a job between innings as the Tucson Toros played their last game at Hi Corbett Field, Thursday, July 21, 2011.Β
Tuffy the Toro
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Mascot Tuffy the Toro signs autographs for fans during one of the Tucson Toros games at Hi Corbett field.
Tuffy the Toro
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Sidewinders owner Jay Zucker and General Manager Rick Parr, photographed in Toros uniforms with Tuffy the Toro mascots, Tuesday, Feb 4, 2003 at TEP.Β
Tuffy the Toro
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Tuffy the Toro struts his stuff on the first base dugout between innings at Tucson Electric Park on May 19, 2001. It was retro night with the Sidewinders wearing the old Tucson Toros uniforms and Tuffy, as well as the older mascot Freddy the Toro, entertaining the crowd.Β
1970s Tuffy the Toro head at The Underestimated City
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Gabe Grateron, co-owner of The Underestimated City, 402 N. 4th Ave., models the 1970s-era Tuffy the Toro mascot head for sale on May 30, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. The Tucson brand has launched a line of retro Tucson Toros gear and recently unearthed three original Tuffy heads.
Rufus Arizona
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University of Arizona Wildcat Mascot "Rufus Arizona." The original mascot, first called, "Tom Easter," arrived on campus on Oct. 17, 1915, and was introduced to the student body the following day at assembly in Herring Hall. He was the gift of the freshman, who, with George Schreer, raised funds ($9.91) to purchase him from one F.W. Fawkins.Β
Rufus Arizona
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Rufus the Wildcat died in October 1971, before the Homecoming game against Air Force. The Desert Yearbook said the autopsy indicated stress brought on by an ulcerous condition or a virus. The veterinarian was quoted as saying the games "were a terrible stress on the animal." The ASUA Senate passed a resolution abolishing the use of a live animal as mascot. The yearbook went on: "So there will no longer be a Rufus. The only University mascot will have to be Wilbur ..."
Wilbur T. and Wilma Wildcat
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Talbott Denny, age 3, with Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat.
Wilma T. Wildcat
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Wilma The Wildcat Mascot. So far there have been 25 people who have portrayed Wilma T. Wildcat.Β
Wilbur T. and Wilma Wildcat
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Dr. Robert C. Robbins is flanked by Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat during a reception following the Presidential Installation Ceremony for Robbins at the University of Arizona's Centennial Hall in Tucson on Nov. 29, 2017.
Wilma T. Wildcat
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University of Arizona's mascot Wilma cheers during the Wildcat Walk before the game against the University of Iowa at Arizona Stadium on Sept. 18, 2010, in Tucson, Ariz.Β
Wilma T. Wildcat
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Wilma the Wildcat works the crowd during the annual school day with kids from all over Tucson at the New Mexico State at University of Arizona women's basketball game at McKale Center, Tucson, on Dec. 14, 2017.
Wilbur T. Wildcat
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Even Wilbur the Wildcat was looking to see when the UA football team was going to show up as they lost to Oregon State, 38-3.Β
Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat
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Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat are riding on a football helmet float as they wave at the crowd along the parade path during the home coming festivities on Nov. 7, 1998.
Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat
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Wilma and Wilbur the UA Mascots hold Shamrock Farms new Premium Ice Cream called Wildcat Crunch.Β
Wilbur T. Wildcat
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Wilbur the Wildcat, posing for a photo at McKale Center, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013, Tucson, Ariz.
Wilbur T. Wildcat
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Wilbur the Wildcat casts a skeptical eye on members of the Boston College band performing in a dance off with a team representing the University of Arizona at the fan fest prior to the kick-off for the AdvoCare V100 Bowl, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013, Shreveport, La.
Wilbur T. Wildcat
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Wilbur T. Wildcat points to the Zona Zoo student section during the No. 1 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. Arizona State University men's college basketball game on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014, at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.
Wilbur T. Wildcat
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Wilbur T. Wildcat takes the sticks himself on the drums with the Arizona pep band before the No. 3 University of Arizona vs. California men's college basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.Β
Wilbur T. Wildcat
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University of Arizona mascot Wilbur the Wildcat tries to lead cheers at a 1980 Homecoming Pep Rally on the UA Mall. Under the Wilbur head? Sophomore Nancy Benedict.
Wilbur T. Wildcat
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Wilbur the Wildcat beckons all fans to the UA Homecoming bonfire on the UA Mall on Oct. 28, 1988.
Wilbur T. Wildcat
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A stuffed Wilbur the Wildcat on the 1969 VW Transporter van that several generations of U of A graduates in the Colavito family use exclusively for tailgating, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014.Β
Wilbur T. Wildcat
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Wilbur the Wildcat rides a Tucson Fire Department ladder truck during the 100th Homecoming Parade at the University of Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, Tucson, Ariz.
Wilbur T. Wildcat
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Wilbur and the rest of the pep squad make an appearance at Tom's Urban gastro pub to pump up Arizona Wildcat fans before the NCAA West Regional Championship game on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
