The Eugene Emeralds’ “Exploding Whales” Identity Is INCREDIBLE
The Eugene Emeralds, a minor league baseball team based in Eugene, Oregon, have recently made headlines for their unique alternate identity: the “Exploding Whales.” The High-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants unveiled their new identity last month, and the backstory for it is fantastic.
Exploding Whales: Based on a True Story
Where did the Exploding Whales identity come from? It all started with an infamous incident that took place on the Oregon coast in 1970. A 45-foot, 8-ton dead whale washed ashore, and local officials decided to dispose of it by blowing it up with dynamite rather than try to cut it into pieces. The resulting explosion sent chunks of blubber flying in all directions, coating nearby bystanders and cars in a putrid mess.
The incident became a local legend, and has been referenced in various ways throughout Oregon culture ever since. So when the Eugene Emeralds were brainstorming potential alternate identities, it seemed like a natural fit to pay homage to this bizarre moment in state history. Check out the video below – I’m honestly shocked I had never heard of this before.
The Exploding Whales logo features a cartoon whale holding a lit stick of dynamite. Merchandise featuring the new logo has been flying off the shelves, and anyone looking to order some will experience a shipping delay of multiple weeks. The team has already announced a second alternate identity, the Eugene Pranksters.
Of course, the Exploding Whales identity is just for fun – the team will still be playing under their regular Eugene Emeralds name for the majority of their games. But the new alternate identity is a creative and entertaining way to engage fans and pay homage to a piece of Oregon history. It will be exciting to see how the Exploding Whales make their mark on the Eugene Emeralds’ upcoming season.
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