The Great Hank the Dog Conspiracy (Latest: dental records and microchip evidence indicate that Hank is alive and well)

[502 to Right]

If you hate this dog you are a bad person.

[logan82]

If you hate this dog you are a bad person.

Why? It is a little dog that should be replaced by a stuffed animal.

[trwi7]

If you hate this dog you are a bad person.

 

I don't think anybody hates the dog. I think people hate that the dog has been shoved down our throats.

[jerichoholicninja]

If you hate this dog you are a bad person.

 

I don't think anybody hates the dog. I think people hate that the dog has been shoved down our throats.

 

I hate the dog. And all dogs as a general rule. Especially the ones that live across the street and bark all day long.

[1992casey]

Here's the McCalvy Hank article.

 

Taking a break from running the business operations of a multimillion dollar company, COO Rick Schlesinger presented microchip evidence, dental records and a notarized letter from a veterinarian that the fluffy white dog at his side was indeed the same pup who staggered into Maryvale Baseball Park on Feb. 17, 2014.

[CheezWizHed]

- The pair of photos in the BCB column which show Street Hank and Suburban Hank in a dugout next to a red phone. Besides looking whiter and fluffier, Suburban Hank looks like he has a bigger frame. You don't get bigger bones through grooming and diet. I realize it could be just the angle of the photos, but that pair of photos gave me the most pause. (Not paws.)

 

I have a Bichon/Shih-Tzu mix which is commonly called a "Teddy Bear". She looks remarkably like Hank and my kids remarked on this right away when Hank came out.

 

If you are used to a dog that sheds, you may not recognize how much different a dog can look based on the way its groomed (or not groomed). Right now, my dog is a major fluff ball because she is overdue for a cut. Then after the cut, its amazing how small she is under that fur.

 

Looking at the BCB photos, it looks like Hank originally had a Shih-Tzu cut and now more of a Bichon cut and groom. We prefer the Shih-Tzu because its easier to maintain and doesn't look like a foo-foo dog. Also, the longer the coat gets, the more white it becomes. Our dog is almost fully white when we get her cut. Then when its short, the color comes through more.

 

I can't say its the same dog, but I can see where its possible just based on fur growth. And they certainly should go back to the Shih-Tzu cut. The foo-foo Bichon look should be outlawed.

[CheezWizHed]

By the way, if you are looking for a good small dog, look into the Teddy Bears.

- They are cross-bred between two full breeds and don't suffer from any real health problems that plague full-breds.

- Teddy Bears are said to be the most hypo-allergenic dog out there. They don't shed and have little dander. My family isn't allergic, but our dog certainly doesn't shed.

- They are also great with kids and very patient dogs. Mine will play fetch for hours (literally).

- They are also known for limited barking. Mine will only bark when she wants to come inside. We trained her to ring a bell to go outside. She will occasionally bark at a strange noise in the dark, but even that is pretty rare.

- Very friendly.

[MrTPlush]

I think Hank would do better with the Shih-Tzu look. That just looks more athletic...the Bichon look is great and all, but it isn't fitting for what Hank is suppose to represent.

 

Then again the actual dog rarely shows up anymore so it doesn't really matter..

[FVBrewerFan]

I think Hank would do better with the Shih-Tzu look. That just looks more athletic...the Bichon look is great and all, but it isn't fitting for what Hank is suppose to represent.

 

 

Except Cardinals "unofficial rule book" clearly states any baseball dog must maintain same appearance throughout the season.

[Thurston Fluff]

I think Hank would do better with the Shih-Tzu look. That just looks more athletic...the Bichon look is great and all, but it isn't fitting for what Hank is suppose to represent.

 

 

Except Cardinals "unofficial rule book" clearly states any baseball dog must maintain same appearance throughout the season.

 

And poop Cardinal red.

[502 to Right]

- The pair of photos in the BCB column which show Street Hank and Suburban Hank in a dugout next to a red phone. Besides looking whiter and fluffier, Suburban Hank looks like he has a bigger frame. You don't get bigger bones through grooming and diet. I realize it could be just the angle of the photos, but that pair of photos gave me the most pause. (Not paws.)

 

I have a Bichon/Shih-Tzu mix which is commonly called a "Teddy Bear". She looks remarkably like Hank and my kids remarked on this right away when Hank came out.

 

If you are used to a dog that sheds, you may not recognize how much different a dog can look based on the way its groomed (or not groomed). Right now, my dog is a major fluff ball because she is overdue for a cut. Then after the cut, its amazing how small she is under that fur.

 

Looking at the BCB photos, it looks like Hank originally had a Shih-Tzu cut and now more of a Bichon cut and groom. We prefer the Shih-Tzu because its easier to maintain and doesn't look like a foo-foo dog. Also, the longer the coat gets, the more white it becomes. Our dog is almost fully white when we get her cut. Then when its short, the color comes through more.

 

I can't say its the same dog, but I can see where its possible just based on fur growth. And they certainly should go back to the Shih-Tzu cut. The foo-foo Bichon look should be outlawed.

 

I agree 100%. I have a black cocker and when his fur grows out he looks like a little bear cub. When I get him cut all over he looks like a black lab puppy. In fact, I had neighbors ask if I got a new dog after I first got him cut short. He looked like a completely different dog.

[hawing]

Here's the McCalvy Hank article.

 

Taking a break from running the business operations of a multimillion dollar company, COO Rick Schlesinger presented microchip evidence, dental records and a notarized letter from a veterinarian that the fluffy white dog at his side was indeed the same pup who staggered into Maryvale Baseball Park on Feb. 17, 2014.

I'm sure this just proves how much I don't get it, but couldn't someone from the Brewers have simply said "Same dog. He's microchipped" earlier in the week and pre-empted the hand wringing and need for an actual press conference?

 

Thanks for the insights into grooming and breed differences, though. I won't pretend I knew that much about it before.

[MrTPlush]

Here's the McCalvy Hank article.

 

Taking a break from running the business operations of a multimillion dollar company, COO Rick Schlesinger presented microchip evidence, dental records and a notarized letter from a veterinarian that the fluffy white dog at his side was indeed the same pup who staggered into Maryvale Baseball Park on Feb. 17, 2014.

I'm sure this just proves how much I don't get it, but couldn't someone from the Brewers have simply said "Same dog. He's microchipped" earlier in the week and pre-empted the hand wringing and need for an actual press conference?

 

Thanks for the insights into grooming and breed differences, though. I won't pretend I knew that much about it before.

 

Why do you think they did a press conference? Marketing my man...marketing. Get Hank's name out in the news. Did we not all start talking about it for a couple days? That is exactly what they wanted.

[dlk9s]

Yeah, it's just all in good fun. Plus, it raised awareness for shelter dogs and what-not.

[dlk9s]

It's funny - my 7-year old had his first regular season little league game this morning. To my absolute delight down here in Georgia, he's on the Brewers! #6 - Jeff Cirillo. A parent of a kid in the next game brought her dog and it looked exactly like Hank, so that made me even happier that Hank was clearly alive and well and already attending a Brewers game.

 

By the way, the league made an interesting choice with our team's uniform. Old school light blue jersey with the new script Brewers and logo. Navy hat, navy socks, gray pants. The "Brewers" across the chest is navy and gold. I think it actually looks pretty cool. Unfortunately, they played the Royals and that team had the same color jerseys.

[StearnsFTW]

If you hate this dog you are a bad person.

 

I don't hate that dog.

 

But if I never see him or hear about him again, my life will be just fine.

[rickh150]

How did the Brewers put to rest this contoversy, other than the dog not being dead?

All the records and doctor confirmations don't answer the real questions here. Wouldn't it be reasonable to say that Hank has a double that does promotions, while the real Hank stays with his new family. How exactly was this possibility shot down?

[502 to Right]

How did the Brewers put to rest this contoversy, other than the dog not being dead?

All the records and doctor confirmations don't answer the real questions here. Wouldn't it be reasonable to say that Hank has a double that does promotions, while the real Hank stays with his new family. How exactly was this possibility shot down?

 

Are you serious?

[MKE81]

How did the Brewers put to rest this contoversy, other than the dog not being dead?

All the records and doctor confirmations don't answer the real questions here. Wouldn't it be reasonable to say that Hank has a double that does promotions, while the real Hank stays with his new family. How exactly was this possibility shot down?

Who cares. Look, I love dogs but why people still talk about Hank is beyond me. It was a great story saving that dog from a life of garbage and now being spoiled rotten having fun. But who cares at this point. Nobody's daily life is affected if Hank is dead, alive, an imposter, etc

[rickh150]

It obviously deeply matters to the Brewers, even if it doesn't matter to the average fan.

Two red flags in all this for me...

Brewers took four days to give an official reply/ spin to all the rumors. The whole "Hank1" reply seemed odd, as well.

Also, no refuting of possible stand ins was puzzling. They said there is only one Hank... which technically is true, but that doesn't mean that there wasn't stand ins named Hooch and Pooch to do his various public appearances. When I read the presser, politician speak, half truths, seemed to jump out to me.

I think this was treated seriously by the Brewers because fraud or the perception of fraud, in one form or another, minor or major, taints and tarnishes like no other. Also, if they received any sort of $ for winning dog of the year last year (which is possible), I'm sure the issue would have been looked into (if not already). I surely hope that the Brewers aren't STILL covering this up. As we know, the cover up is often viewed more seriously than the offense itself.

Personally, I'm like many here saying big deal. I was ready to dismiss this like many others..... and then the Brewers spoke. I'm writing because of the odd, possible misdirecting way the Brewers replied (dental records, vet letter), the timing of it all, and what they didn't say.

[MrTPlush]

The "Hank1" was used to peak interest and hint that omg there could be more than one. However it was just a teaser to get people thinking. Seems like it worked.

[1992casey]

Adam's article indicates that the press conference was all in fun. It likely took the four days to set up the fun. Had Hank actually been dead, the news would have been treated with dignity. And dignity would call for the end of Hank promotions.

 

I have no clue what Hank's PR demands are, and I don't know what kind of appearances he makes. But it appears that the "original" likes showing up at the park and that the players and other staff like having him around. I'm satisfied with the information that different grooming tacks can make dogs look markedly different. And I don't see evidence that's substantial enough to bother theorizing that there might be than one dog.

[rwa12]

I think at this point, if Hank died, he would immediately get a spot in the Brewers HOF. All waiting periods would be waived.

[brewerfan82]

At this point it looks like the main article written about the "conspiracy" and the press conference were both meant in jest. They're just having fun, I don't know why anyone would be legitimately upset about this still. It would have been sad and a little odd to find out he had actually died and there was some sort of weird cover up, but I think press conference settled that possibility as I don't think they would go to lengths to produce false vet records, chip, etc. Beyond that, I really don't care if they've used multiple dogs in the past, so it's a non-issue at this point for me and I would hope for most? Back to baseball!

[dlk9s]

How did the Brewers put to rest this contoversy, other than the dog not being dead?

All the records and doctor confirmations don't answer the real questions here. Wouldn't it be reasonable to say that Hank has a double that does promotions, while the real Hank stays with his new family. How exactly was this possibility shot down?

Who cares. Look, I love dogs but why people still talk about Hank is beyond me. It was a great story saving that dog from a life of garbage and now being spoiled rotten having fun. But who cares at this point. Nobody's daily life is affected if Hank is dead, alive, an imposter, etc

 

I agree that this whole controversy is stupid, but why wouldn't people care about Hank? He is adorable, was a wonderful story when he became part of the team, and is now a living mascot. People like dogs and this one found his way into the hearts of fans and players alike.

 

Everybody needs to lighten up. Hank is fun. He's a good little doggie. It's ok to have a little silliness and joy in sports and in life. Not everything has to revolve around draft slotting, OPS, and ground ball ratios.