Chico Named Finalist For USA Today’s Best Minor League Mascot

Chico, the popular mascot from the El Paso Chihuahuas needs your help. He has been nominated as one of the 20 best mascots in all of Minor League Baseball by USA Today. The nomination is part of The 10 Best Reader's Choice Awards for 2024 by USA Today. Beginning now, fans can vote online once per day through March 11th at 10am MT.

According to the website, Chico and the 19 other mascots "show their team pride while bringing joy and laughter to the fans and players alike." The nominees were chosen by a panel of experts, including MLBFITS founding director Alex Tantum, social media influencer Cameron Guzzo, and Ballpark Guide founder Malcolm MacMillan. The 10 winners will be revealed on Friday, March 22nd.

The thing I like the best about this contest is that the USA Today site ranks the mascot's position in the standings after each vote. That way, there is complete transparency regarding their popularity for the online voting. When I placed my first vote for Chico this morning, I was told that he currently ranks 4th out of all 20 mascots.

As for his competition, he currently trails Buster, the mascot from the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, the San Antonio Missions Ballapeño, and Big Lug, the Lansing Lugnuts purple dinosaur. Legendary minor league baseball mascots like Slugger the Sea Dog, Barley the Hop, Mr. Celery, Orbit, and Roscoe the Grease Monkey are all nominees for Best Mascot.

The 2024 regular season for the Chihuahuas begins on Friday, March 29th in Albuquerque and the home opener is Tuesday, April 2nd against Round Rock. Individual tickets are on sale now and all games will be broadcast on 600 ESPN El Paso with the voice of the Chihuahuas, Tim Hagerty.