‘We never lost a match because of her’Content cannot be displayed without consent
After 14 years of faithful service, one of the most important members of a south Manchester baseball club has taken his final lap.
Just two days before he sadly passed away, Ribby was given a guard of honour at Wythenshawe Park, where she has been mascot for more than a decade.
The proud pooch gamely made her way across the diamond, flanked by players and supporters of Manchester Baseball Club as she finally called time on a career as the side’s official good luck charm.
Ribby, a spaniel, was even named after the baseball term – RBI, Run Batted In.
Stay connected with our City Life newsletter here
He had been had been part of the club since he was 12 weeks old – attending matches, training sessions and tournaments across the UK.
Ribby and his teammates at Manchester Baseball Club
Quickly becoming known for retrieving foul balls, he saved the club “a small fortune” in equipment costs.
“We hardly ever lost a baseball because of him,” said his owner, Johnny Creelman.
Ribby even travelled abroad with the team, joining them at the 2014 European Championships in Holland. “He was our kid, so he had to come everywhere with us,” Creelman added. “He was well-known amongst so many in the UK baseball community, but I suppose – really – he was an international mascot.”
The guard of honour at Ribby’s last appearance
Creelman said: “My wife and I don’t have children so Ribby was that for us. It’s been really hard since he passed.
“We find ourselves looking for him at home and realising he’s not there.”
The guard of honour provided a fitting farewell for the mascot. Footage from his final appearance with the side shows him walking steadily across the grass, cheered on by teammates, and even members of the opposition.
Ribby with his owner Johnny
“One club member had suggested rolling a ball to him, like a ceremonial first pitch,” Creelman recalled.
“But I said I’d rather have a guard of honour for him. Luckily, he had enough energy to do it – he walked through on his own steam. I’m there in the video. I had the dark glasses on, because it was pretty hard.”
In his memory, the club is now fundraising to install benches at Wythenshawe Park.
Ribby even travelled abroad with the team, joining them at the 2014 European Championships in Holland
“We’ve got a little plaque that says, ‘Sit and enjoy the game as our dog did.’ That’s exactly what Ribby would have wanted,” said Creelman.
Organised by his fellow teammates at the Manchester Baseball Club, Ribby’s fundraiser is currently live on Gofundme.