One of Michiana’s most beloved mascots hung up his jersey for the final time on Sunday.
Swoop the Silver Hawk was joined by fellow South Bend Cubs mascot Stu and Chicago pal Clark the Cub for an emotional farewell at Four Winds Field.
The Cubs celebrated Swoop’s 28 years as team mascot during their game against the Beloit Sky Carp.
Swoop flew off into the sunset after the Cubs won in dramatic fashion on a walk-off base hit in the 11th inning.
Swoop hatched in the fall of 1996 and made his debut as the new face of the South Bend Silver Hawks on April 8, 1997. When the team became a Chicago Cubs affiliate in 2015, he became a mentor of sorts to Stu.
In recent years, Swoop had only been at games on the weekends. The Mascot Hall of Famer cited ability and his old age as reasons for retiring.
“And at my old age, I don’t want to be a bird-en, but I have no regrets!” Swoop joked through his longtime interpreter, Alan Rubin, during a pre-produced news conference announcing his retirement in February.
Team officials say plans are in the works for a future replacement for Swoop. Additional details will be released in the near future.
For a look at Swoop through the years, check out the gallery below:
Fun Facts about Swoop (courtesy of the South Bend Cubs):
- Full Name: Swoop
- Jersey #: 00
- X (formerly known as Twitter): @SBSwoop
- Birthplace: Four Winds Field
- Eye Color: Yellow
- Height: 6′3″
- Weight: Light as a feather
- Bats/Throws: Right-Wing / Left-Wing
- Best Friend: Stu D. Baker
- Favorite Food: Gummy Worms
- Favorite Song: Are You Ready For This? - Jock Jams
- Favorite Color: Red & Blue with hints of green
- Hobbies: Stealing McGill’s food, eating, shaking tail feather, and Flying The W!
