John Oliver Unveils Erie Moon Mammoths in Minor League Baseball Stunt
Comedian’s Show Rebrands Team, Draws Record Crowd
Comedian **John Oliver**’s celebrated affinity for the quirky world of minor league baseball culminated Saturday night in the debut of the Erie Moon Mammoths. The unconventional rebranding, a product of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight,” drew a franchise-record 7,070 fans to UPMC Park.
A “Furry Child” Launched
Prior to the game, **Oliver** addressed the enthusiastic crowd, referring to the newly christened team as his “furry child.” He entrusted the fans with its care, marking a significant moment for the show’s segment on minor league baseball’s innovative promotions.
“We’re sending our furry child out into the world and you are the custodian of it. Now, please be careful with our child.”
—John Oliver, Host of “Last Week Tonight”
From SeaWolves to Moon Mammoths
The transformation began after Oliver invited teams to submit rebranding proposals on his show. Erie, then the SeaWolves and an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, was among 47 teams that responded. Erie’s president, **Greg Coleman**, highlighted the absurdity of playing far from the sea as a key reason for their selection.
“To have so many teams expressing interest was really edifying. I think it kind of validates the fact that we thought there was something special about minor league baseball,” **Oliver** commented. “We thought this would be a group of people that would respond to the ludicrous idea that we had.”
The Mammoth’s Origin Story
The unique “Moon Mammoth” name draws inspiration from **George Moon**, who discovered prehistoric mammoth bones while scuba diving in 1991. These historical remains are now housed at the State Museum of Pennsylvania.
The rebranding process, which typically takes over a year, was completed in less than three months. **Oliver** found Erie’s “uniquely eccentric” nature particularly appealing, stating, “There was something about the Moon Mammoth that spoke to us for being particularly odd.”
Fan Frenzy and Team Success
The fan response has been overwhelming. Since the Moon Mammoths’ unveiling, the team has achieved sales figures equivalent to four years’ worth of online business in just three weeks. Fans like **Karyn Drombosky** and **Sean Mizerski** traveled from Pittsburgh, sporting homemade tusks, eager to embrace the new identity.
“It’s just great. We’re big baseball fans. We see the Pirates all the time, and minor league games are fun. There’s so much silliness,” said **Drombosky**. “We watch John Oliver pretty regularly. We were like surprised but excited when we saw he picked the Erie team to take over.”
**Oliver** also participated in the game, serving as batboy and leading the seventh-inning stretch singalong. His game-worn cap and jersey are destined for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
A Record-Breaking Debut
The game itself saw the Moon Mammoths rally but ultimately fall to the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers, 6-4. Despite the loss, the atmosphere was electric, as noted by Erie manager **Andrew Graham**.
“The atmosphere was great. Everything worked smoothly. It doesn’t happen very often in minor league baseball to be able to have an event like that. It was a fun night for everyone,”
—Andrew Graham, Erie Manager
The Moon Mammoths are scheduled for additional appearances later this season and are slated for at least four games next year, continuing to embrace their distinctive identity. Minor league baseball teams are increasingly relying on unique promotions to drive attendance; for instance, the Akron RubberDucks recently hosted a highly successful “Star Wars” night that saw a significant attendance bump, mirroring the innovative spirit championed by **Oliver**’s show (Baseball America).
“I love minor league baseball. There is a special eccentricity to it,” **Oliver** concluded. “It felt like a nice fit with our show because minor league baseball, as you know, is willing to try anything.”
