Faster than a speeding chicken
It's been 10 years since slugging first baseman Bucky Jacobsen played his lone season for the Tennessee Smokies, yet his name lives on at Smokies Park in a most unusual way. During each and every game a "Chicken Run" takes place, in which a bright yellow fowl mascot darts across the outfield while being chased by a crazed pack of young fans.
The chicken's name? Clucky Jacobsen.
If you've been following the promotional side of Minor League Baseball for any amount of time, then you know that the simple question of "Now, why would they go and do a thing like that?" is almost always followed by an equally simple answer: "Why not?"
So why was a chicken costume acquired? It all happened about 10 years ago, when team executives Mark Seaman (now with the Hickory Crawdads) and Jeff Shoaf (currently the Smokies assistant general manager) were shooting the breeze after the game. A very rough approximation of this decade-old conversation, as it was relayed to me by Director of Entertainment Ryan Cox prior to Friday evening's game against the Birmingham Barons:
Mark: Look, there's a chicken costume on eBay. We should get it.
Jeff: Yeah, let's do it.
Mark: Done. But what are we going to do with it?
After what was surely an awkward silence, perhaps one that lasted for days, they decided that the chicken suit would be used as a way to, as Cox explained it, "get as many kids on the field at one time as they possibly could." In this regard, it would be similar to between-innings spectacles that I have seen in High Desert and Lake County, among others, in which a gaggle of children chase the mascot across the outfield. As for which team originated this idea -- who knows? But let's go with the Smokies, simply so it can be said that the chicken came first.
And the chicken's name eventually turned out to be "Clucky," in honor of the aforementioned slugging first baseman. This is a solid choice, though a perusal of the 2003 Smokies roster reveals that other options were available. Chris Dunc-hen? Yadier Fowl-ina? Chris Beak-ly? Kevin Spr-egg? We are only limited by our imaginations.
Like baseball itself, the Chicken Run's ramshackle and perhaps apocryphal beginnings hardened over time into a set of immalleable codified rules. The participants can only be between ages 5-12, must wear tennis shoes and cannot carry loose items onto the field with them (kids being notorious scatterers of debris). But despite a rigid adherence to the above regulations, anomalous -- and therefore memorable -- Chicken Runs are bound to occur. As I was speaking with Cox, team president Doug Kirchhofer ambled over and relayed his favorite Chicken Run story.
"We had an intern in the chicken suit, and he was egging the kids on," said Kirchhofer, the pun seemingly unintentional. "And at the end of the race a pitcher from the visitor's bullpen came out and just leveled him. We had to talk the kid down afterwards. He thought he'd been assaulted; he was so mad that he wanted to call the police. It was a blindside tackle, so as you're running, make sure to look out for your blind side. That's what'll get you."
Kirchhofer's use of "you" wasn't in the general sense. He was speaking to me directly, as I had been picked to run as Clucky that evening. (Community relations assistant Samantha Nicholson is usually tasked with this responsibility, and she had no problem relinquishing it. None whatsoever.) I suited up in the top of the third inning, putting on red socks, a yellow zip-up one-piece suit, and -- by far, the worst part -- a vision-obscuring and stiflingly hot rubber mask. The thought of wearing this mask during a July afternoon in East Tennessee is already giving me nightmares, and I offer my fullest sympathies and respect to Nicholson. She is a stronger person than I am.
During our slow concourse walk to the left-field gate (where the Chicken Run commences), the reactions from the young fans varied. The littlest ones often approached sheepishly and then were delighted by a high five, while those who had reached double digits in age often reverted to cruel taunts.
"Chicken, chicken, I'm going to eat you!" said one boy, who was 11 years old or thereabouts. "You'd be so tender."
The terrifying thought of being torn limb from limb by bloodthirsty prepubescents was on my mind as we lined up by the left-field gate, and I was grateful for the presence of Community Relations Director Lauren Chesney. She ably kept the kids in check as we waited for the (seemingly interminable) top of the fourth inning to conclude and assured me that I would be given a big-head start as "the chicken is untouchable."
But what if I fall? What if I'm not as fast as I think I am? What if the mask obscures my vision to such an extent that everything is my blind side? What if some twisted denizen of the visitors' bullpen possesses murderous intent?
These "what if?" scenarios melted away once the gate swung open, replaced by an urge possessed by all chickens since time immemorial: to get to the other side. And get there I did, moving as fast as my legs could carry me and arriving unscathed in that right field promised land before ducking into the tunnel adjacent to the visitor's dugout.
Clucky Jacobsen, tender though he may be, had lived to see another day.
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog.
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring