Latest news with #Kato
New York Post
a day ago
- 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
a day ago
- 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
a day ago
- 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:
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Japan outdoor museum of vending machines aims to draw global fans
An outdoor museum of vending machines in northeastern Japan that opened in March is seeking to showcase the country's cultural phenomenon and attract visitors from overseas. The site in Kurihara, Miyagi prefecture, displays 38 of the automatic dispensers in a variety of colours across a 6,600-square-metre site. Many of the vending machines are no longer functional and have been repurposed as visual exhibits. Among them, 28 feature unique designs by creators including local artists, influencers and companies, with motifs sporting homegrown delicacies and even a large cat that appears to emerge from a product window. "We hope to find new possibilities for vending machines, which Japan takes pride in, and encourage people inside and outside the country to visit and enjoy the place," said Tomohito Kato, the 45-year-old managing director of a local vending machine operator that founded the museum. According to the Japan Vending System Manufacturers Association, over 2.6 million of the dispensers were in use nationwide at the end of 2024. "Vending machines have become a part of Japanese culture precisely because it is a safe country and there's a low risk of theft," Kato said. The museum plans to display as many as 200 vending machines in the future and seek recognition from Guinness World Records. It is also seeking new unique designs for vending machine wrappers from local people who want to give the region a boost.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
Japan outdoor museum of vending machines aims to draw global fans
Find out what's new on ST website and app. TOKYO - An outdoor museum of vending machines in northeastern Japan that opened in March is seeking to showcase the country's cultural phenomenon and attract visitors from overseas. The site in Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture, displays 38 of the automatic dispensers in a variety of colors across a 6,600-square-meter site. Many of the vending machines are no longer functional and have been repurposed as visual exhibits. Among them, 28 feature unique designs by creators including local artists, influencers and companies, with motifs sporting homegrown delicacies and even a large cat that appears to emerge from a product window. 'We hope to find new possibilities for vending machines, which Japan takes pride in, and encourage people inside and outside the country to visit and enjoy the place,' said Mr Tomohito Kato, the 45-year-old managing director of a local vending machine operator that founded the museum. According to the Japan Vending System Manufacturers Association, over 2.6 million of the dispensers were in use nationwide at the end of 2024. 'Vending machines have become a part of Japanese culture precisely because it is a safe country and there's a low risk of theft,' Mr Kato said. KYODO NEWS
