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New York Post
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Alex the Great, sports' cherished therapy bunny, dead after cancer battle
SAN FRANCISCO — A beloved therapy bunny named Alex The Great, who provided snuggles and comfort from ballparks to NBA arenas, airports, farmers markets and even Easter egg hunts and NASCAR races, has died. He was 4. A floppy-eared Flemish giant who was larger than life in both size and spirit, Alex suffered complications from cancer treatment and died early Monday, his owners said. The rabbit had undergone care at the renowned UC Davis Veterinary Hospital in recent days. Alex appeared June 4 sporting his signature cap for Padres-Giants at Oracle Park. At 4 months old, he attended his first Giants game in April 2021 — believed to be the first bunny in the stands at the waterfront ballpark. Kei Kato and Josh Row pose with their therapy bunny Alex The Great during an Arizona Fall League Game at Scottsdale Stadium, Nov. 6, 2021. AP He loved wearing bow ties and riding in his remote-controlled car, which Alex did in November 2021 following an Arizona Fall League appearance at Scottsdale Stadium where he saw now-Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe as a rising prospect. Owners Kei Kato and Josh Row saved Alex from a slaughterhouse — but, really, it was the bunny who saved them. They took Alex on all their trips and he spent hours at San Francisco International Airport with a golden retriever friend offering travelers emotional support. 'He saved us and saved so many people,' Kato said via text message Monday. 'All the stories people are sharing are so overwhelming.' Fans stopped in awe when they saw Alex The Great wherever he went, often surprised by his size and always eager to snap a photo or selfie. Kato and Row were thrilled to share him with the world because Alex had brought them so much love and joy and they wanted to spread that to anyone who might need a lift or a smile. Or provide a chance to pet Alex's soft orange fur or give him a hug. 'We remember him well for his surprise frequent visits to the ballpark,' Giants CEO Larry Baer said in a text message. 'We remember the comfort he brought those who loved him and the joy he brought so many.' Kato lost her brewery restaurant during the pandemic and adopting Alex provided her with a new purpose. He helped Kato deal with the anxiety and stress of no longer having her main source of income and the fulfillment her business brought. 'I lost it all because of COVID, so I've been really stressed a lot,' Kato said at the ballpark that spring night in 2021. 'We support local. I was a local. He's well trained, too.' Alex, a Flemish giant therapy rabbit, waits in his jeep to greet travelers at San Francisco International Airport. MediaNews Group via Getty Images When Alex became such a hit on the big screen, quick-thinking Daniel Kurish of the Marlins' media relations staff went to find the bunny in the seventh inning to deliver some Miami gear. Less than a month later, in May 2021, Alex appeared at a Suns-Warriors game at Chase Center. Of course, they loved him there, too. He'd also pop up outside the arena in Thrive City every now and then to greet fans before games. 'Let his legend continue,' Kato and Row wrote on Alex's social media, 'he was very loved.'
Fox Sports
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Beloved ballpark therapy bunny, Alex The Great, has died after complications from cancer
Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A beloved therapy bunny named Alex The Great, who provided snuggles and comfort from ballparks to NBA arenas, airports, farmers markets and even Easter egg hunts and NASCAR races, has died. He was 4. A floppy-eared Flemish giant who was larger than life in both size and spirit, Alex suffered complications from cancer treatment and died early Monday, his owners said. The rabbit had undergone care at the renowned UC Davis Veterinary Hospital in recent days. Alex appeared June 4 sporting his signature cap for Padres-Giants at Oracle Park. At 4 months old, he attended his first Giants game in April 2021 — believed to be the first bunny in the stands at the waterfront ballpark. He loved wearing bow ties and riding in his remote-controlled car, which Alex did in November 2021 following an Arizona Fall League appearance at Scottsdale Stadium where he saw now-Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe as a rising prospect. Owners Kei Kato and Josh Row saved Alex from a slaughterhouse — but, really, it was the bunny who saved them. They took Alex on all their trips and he spent hours at San Francisco International Airport with a golden retriever friend offering travelers emotional support. 'He saved us and saved so many people,' Kato said via text message Monday. 'All the stories people are sharing are so overwhelming.' Fans stopped in awe when they saw Alex The Great wherever he went, often surprised by his size and always eager to snap a photo or selfie. Kato and Row were thrilled to share him with the world because Alex had brought them so much love and joy and they wanted to spread that to anyone who might need a lift or a smile. Or provide a chance to pet Alex's soft orange fur or give him a hug. 'We remember him well for his surprise frequent visits to the ballpark,' Giants CEO Larry Baer said in a text message. 'We remember the comfort he brought those who loved him and the joy he brought so many.' Kato lost her brewery restaurant during the pandemic and adopting Alex provided her with a new purpose. He helped Kato deal with the anxiety and stress of no longer having her main source of income and the fulfillment her business brought. 'I lost it all because of COVID, so I've been really stressed a lot,' Kato said at the ballpark that spring night in 2021. 'We support local. I was a local. He's well trained, too.' When Alex became such a hit on the big screen, quick-thinking Daniel Kurish of the Marlins' media relations staff went to find the bunny in the seventh inning to deliver some Miami gear. Less than a month later, in May 2021, Alex appeared at a Suns-Warriors game at Chase Center. Of course, they loved him there, too. He'd also pop up outside the arena in Thrive City every now and then to greet fans before games. 'Let his legend continue,' Kato and Row wrote on Alex's social media, 'he was very loved.' ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 1 in this topic
Winnipeg Free Press
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Beloved ballpark therapy bunny, Alex The Great, has died after complications from cancer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A beloved therapy bunny named Alex The Great, who provided snuggles and comfort from ballparks to NBA arenas, airports, farmers markets and even Easter egg hunts and NASCAR races, has died. He was 4. A floppy-eared Flemish giant who was larger than life in both size and spirit, Alex suffered complications from cancer treatment and died early Monday, his owners said. The rabbit had undergone care at the renowned UC Davis Veterinary Hospital in recent days. Alex appeared June 4 sporting his signature cap for Padres-Giants at Oracle Park. At 4 months old, he attended his first Giants game in April 2021 — believed to be the first bunny in the stands at the waterfront ballpark. He loved wearing bow ties and riding in his remote-controlled car, which Alex did in November 2021 following an Arizona Fall League appearance at Scottsdale Stadium where he saw now-Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe as a rising prospect. Owners Kei Kato and Josh Row saved Alex from a slaughterhouse — but, really, it was the bunny who saved them. They took Alex on all their trips and he spent hours at San Francisco International Airport with a golden retriever friend offering travelers emotional support. 'He saved us and saved so many people,' Kato said via text message Monday. 'All the stories people are sharing are so overwhelming.' Fans stopped in awe when they saw Alex The Great wherever he went, often surprised by his size and always eager to snap a photo or selfie. Kato and Row were thrilled to share him with the world because Alex had brought them so much love and joy and they wanted to spread that to anyone who might need a lift or a smile. Or provide a chance to pet Alex's soft orange fur or give him a hug. 'We remember him well for his surprise frequent visits to the ballpark,' Giants CEO Larry Baer said in a text message. 'We remember the comfort he brought those who loved him and the joy he brought so many.' Kato lost her brewery restaurant during the pandemic and adopting Alex provided her with a new purpose. He helped Kato deal with the anxiety and stress of no longer having her main source of income and the fulfillment her business brought. 'I lost it all because of COVID, so I've been really stressed a lot,' Kato said at the ballpark that spring night in 2021. 'We support local. I was a local. He's well trained, too.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. When Alex became such a hit on the big screen, quick-thinking Daniel Kurish of the Marlins' media relations staff went to find the bunny in the seventh inning to deliver some Miami gear. Less than a month later, in May 2021, Alex appeared at a Suns-Warriors game at Chase Center. Of course, they loved him there, too. He'd also pop up outside the arena in Thrive City every now and then to greet fans before games. 'Let his legend continue,' Kato and Row wrote on Alex's social media, 'he was very loved.' ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Three Tigers Prospects Dominate, Get Promoted Together to Double-A
Three Tigers Prospects Dominate, Get Promoted Together to Double-A originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Detroit Tigers have the best record in baseball, a double-digit division lead, a lineup without an easy out and possibly the back-to-back AL Cy Young award winner. Advertisement There are still more reinforcements coming. Three of Detroit's highest ranked prospects were all promoted together from High-A level ball to the Tigers Double-A affiliate, the Erie SeaWolves. Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark and Josue Briceño all got the call to move up at the same time, keeping together a core that is sure to impact the Major League club soon. Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle during spring training© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK McGonigle, the Tigers' number one overall prospect in MLB's rankings, is a fast middle-infielder with a high exit velo at the plate that should translate into power numbers. High-A was no match for him, slashing a .372/.462/.648 over 36 games this year. He has also had more walks than strikeouts at every level in his career. Advertisement Clark, Detroit's number two overall prospect, earned his promotion through blazing fast speed and rocket arm, both serving him well playing center field everyday. His 70 rating on the 20-80 scouting scale puts him amongst the elite in the majors. He also topped out at a 98.1 mph throw from the outfield, almost a full 2 mph faster than the hardest Detroit major-leaguer throw last season. Briceño, ranked fourth overall in the Tigers' system, was signed out of Maracay, Venezuela in 2022, the same hometown as Tigers' legend Miguel Cabrera. Like Miggy, Briceño is a strong, power hitter that won a triple crown, even if it was the Arizona Fall League, instead. With an OPS over 1.000 and 57 RBIs over 55 games, he showed he is ready to be a slugger against tougher competition. All three of these guys have shown so much potential and are only 20 years old. If they play well enough, the franchise will have no choice to keep moving them up. Or trade them. Advertisement Just one of these guys as the main piece of a package could net the Tigers someone who alters a pennant race. Should the front office want to go all-in and see what a combination of these three would get them, there are not many players around the league off limits. Join the conversation with us on Facebook and X. Related: MLB Shouts Out Tigers' Milestone After Rays Win Related: Zach McKinstry's Performance in Win vs. Guardians Embodies Tigers Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phillies Claim 25-Year-Old Former White Sox Pitcher, DFA Minor League Starter
Phillies Claim 25-Year-Old Former White Sox Pitcher, DFA Minor League Starter originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, they made a roster move involving multiple Minor League pitchers. Advertisement The Phillies announced on Twitter/X that they have claimed right-handed pitcher Ryan Cusick off waivers from the Chicago White Sox, and designated right-handed pitcher Kyle Tyler for assignment. Cusick was then optioned to the Florida Complex League. Cusick, the player the Phillies picked-up off waivers from the White Sox, has yet to make his Major League debut. The 25-year-old has spent the last five years in the Minor Leagues, bouncing between the Detroit Tigers, Athletics, and White Sox before making his way to the Phillies. On June 5th, the White Sox designated Cusick for assignemnt after picking him up just a day prior. He was designated for assignment by the Tigers on June second, before being DFA'd for the second time in the span of three days. Advertisement In 2025, between two Minor League teams, Cusick has a 6.32 ERA in 15.2 innings of work. He's also allowed a WHIP of 1.85, and struck out 11 batters. Across his Minor League career, Cusick has an ERA of 5.20, and a win-loss record of 10-19. Oakland Athletics pitcher Ryan Cusick for the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League baseball game at Surprise J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The pitcher the Phillies designated for assignment to make room for Cusick is 28-years-old, with some Major League experience. Tyler pitcher for the Miami Marlins in 2024, where in 31.2 innings of work, he had a 5.40 ERA and 25 strikeouts. Tyler was pitching with the Phillies Triple-A affiliate, Lehigh Valley. There, he had a 5-3 record with a 4.31 ERA in 12 starts. Across his 12 starts, Tyler threw 62.2 innings, walking 21 and striking out 43. Advertisement This move from the Phillies is to bring in a younger pitcher who has yet to make his MLB debut. Cusick, while unlikely to play a major role for the Phillies, is a player worth taking a chance on. With the Phillies question marks in the bullpen, and some recent uncertainty in the rotation, the Phillies are in the market for new pitching talent. While Cusick was just DFA'd by two teams in a week, the Phillies bring in the former 2021 first-round pick to see if they can get anything out of a former top recruit out of high school. Related: Phillies Expected to be Aggressive at MLB Trade Deadline Related: Phillies Get Good News On Zack Wheeler's Return From Paternity List This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
