The Homer Hound arrived in '94 to lead the crowd cheers and was the most gymnastic of the league's mascots (contrasting with The Duke who had an assistant help him through the grandstands). He returned, a little less active, but much taller for '99.
Homer's birthday is (was) June 17
Rosie was the leader of the Dukes fan club and something of an Duke's institution. No Dukes experience was complete without hearing her belt out her special rendition of "Take me out to the ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch.
Mr. Tidy fought a never ending battle to keep the stands clean!
He used to walk around in a polo shirt (originally in a tuxedo) carrying a trash bag to take your trash. People actually hold on to their trash to give to him to take away for them. He's now serving his country in the military.
So when you finished your drinking or snack you'd call out
"Hey Mr. TIIIIDEEE!"to have it discarded properly.
Regardless of the fortunes of the team, Dukes crowds included die-hard fans who attended through thick and thin. This crowd, particularly kids pounding the aluminum benches ensured a load roar when ever their players take the field or the plate.
The acoustics under the roof, and the use of a very good (and loud) sound system can approach that of the Metrodome during the '87 series. Unfortunately the PA system was usually too and often needless played to distortion levels.
Other specialties are the ad for the (City) Auto Glass on foul balls. When the foul ball went up, back and towards the parking lots you heard a loud "crash." Then recited along with the locals "uh, oh." Then recited the number 722- (now making an "O" shape with your arms) zero, zero, zero, zero (those in the know would say "baseball, baseball, baseball, baseball" since that's is what the sign actually showed).
