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Cubs mascot Clark has been the target
of criticsim
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The Cubs yesterday stood "firm behind 'Clark,' one day after an avalanche of
criticism appeared in social media circles shortly after their first mascot in modern history was unveiled," according to Mark Gonzales of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Cubs VP/Communications & Community Affairs Julian Green yesterday "pointed to the reception that Clark received from children Monday night during an event at Advocate Illinois Masonic's Pediatric Development Center as proof that the mascot will be greeted warmly by the community and young families." Clark will "appear this weekend at the team's annual Cubs Convention" (
CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 1/14). Green said, "I'm disappointed at some of the unfortunate images that went from negative to despicable. There are some folks that had strong reactions to the mascot, but at the same time, there are folks that see what we're trying to do. It's strictly for kids and family entertainment." He added, "We don't think it's a bellwether for things we're trying to accomplish nor should it be for any company. When you look at the chatter on social media, it's a split depending on who you talk to and what media platform you're looking at." Green yesterday "repeated Monday's notion that Clark will have minimal exposure during games, acknowledging some 'engagement' but not anything that can be constituted as disruptive to the viewing experience" (
ESPNCHICAGO.com, 1/14). However, ESPN's Keith Olbermann, who called yesterday "day two of the crisis of Clark the Cub," said, "Seriously? You played the 'sick kids like him' card on day two of the crisis? Wow, get a roll of stamps and mail it in, why don't you" (
"Olbermann," ESPN2, 1/14).
LOVE ME, LOVE ME NOT: SPORTS ON EARTH's Will Leitch writes it is "difficult to think of a more negative response to a mascot." Leitch: "Every Cubs fan I talked to had that same sense of sadness and embarrassment: Why did we do this?" A "particular issue was the timing," as the Cubs have "so many problems right now, with many fans as frustrated as they have ever been" (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 1/15). Denver Post columnist Woody Paige said, "If they're going to do it, that is a terrible name. You either go after Harry Caray or Ernie Banks, you don't use Clark." ESPN's Bomani Jones said it seems as if the Cubs "gaffled the Berenstain Bears with their whole little concept." But the Boston Globe's Bob Ryan noted the Red Sox' introduction of Wally the Green Monster in the '90s eventually "worked in Boston, which is the first spiritual cousin to Chicago" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 1/14). In Chicago, Neil Steinberg predicts the mascot "will be quietly withdrawn sometime in 2016, if not before." Steinberg: "Please God" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/15). In Illinois, Mike Imrem writes, "The biggest question of all is whether the Cubs need a mascot in the first place." Imrem: "You probably know the answer: Certainly they do. Anything that distracts from the what's happening on the field is welcome" (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 1/15). But ESPN.com's David Schoenfield wrote, "Give it time, Cubs fans. You'll learn to love Clark." The mascot is "hardly one of the worst 10 mascots of all time" (ESPN.com, 1/14).
