Bruce the Bat Dog made his Major League debut with the Washington Nationals during a pregame bat retrieval ceremony, called up from Triple-A Rochester where he had become a fan favorite.

The debut was part of "Pups in the Park," an event benefiting the Humane Rescue Alliance. Bruce, who took over after the passing of longtime Red Wings bat dog Milo, has a perfect retrieving record and has gone viral online, with over 5,000 Instagram followers and a commemorative Topps trading card. His owner, Josh Snyder, selected Bruce for his focus and drive, and the pup's presence on the field consistently energizes the crowd regardless of the score.