What’s in a name?
To the editor:
I have been following the somewhat humorous “controversy” about the naming of the potential minor league baseball team that may play in Tupper Lake next year.
I have seen many come out against the name River Pigs, which pays homage to Tupper’s illustrious past as a blue-collar lumbering community. Their argument goes along the line that pigs are a less-than-desirable species of animal to have as a team name and mascot.
I would offer this counter-argument to these folks’ well-intentioned but misguided opinion.
Minor league baseball is replete with quirky and humorous names: the Savannah Sand Gnats, the Macon Bacon, the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, the Toledo Mud Hens, the Richmond Flying Squirrels and the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, to name a few. Names are part of what makes this level of the game a little cheesy, but entertaining.
And what’s wrong with pigs? Porky Pig is a favorite, how about Wilbur in “Charlotte’s Web”? Then there’s Piglet from Winnie the Pooh! Babe, Miss Piggy and “The Three Little Pigs” — I could go on and on, but pigs deserve respect!
I fully endorse and support the name River Pigs for the possible team. River Pigs rock. Go, Pigs!
Glenn Poirier
Fulton