Reds Turn Their Ballpark Into a Real Zoo

It was a real circus at Cinergy Field in Cincinnati, what with two camels and an elephant being used in the pregame festivities that also included doves and pigeons.

In the best part, a zoo employee, standing behind the elephant with a bag to keep the turf clean, did his job perfectly, to the approval of the crowd of 54,578.

Several of the Padre players were stretching on the field when Reds owner Marge Schott arrived with her St. Bernard, Schottzie 02. She asked a couple of players if they wanted the dog to lick their faces. They politely declined.

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The San Diego Padres’ quest for a new ballpark took an unexpected turn when Mayor Susan Golding said she wants the city to consider building a stadium on pilings above shipping terminals on the waterfront. The proposal, backed by the San Diego Port Commission, comes two months after a task force recommended a ballpark be located near the waterfront. . . . Hank Aaron made a rare on-field appearance at Atlanta to mark Milwaukee’s return to the National League.