The Anti-Mascot
In 1984, the San Francisco Giants finished dead last. But neither the players nor the fans had as nightmarish a season as the team's first mascot. Wayne Doba, a classically-trained actor, dancer and mime, found himself sweating inside a foam suit resembling a hamburger with claws. Instead of cheering for the home team, the 'Crazy Crab' rooted against the crowd, taunting players and fans. It was a radical experiment intended to distract from the team's lackluster performance. But as the season went south, so did the gimmick. The crab quickly became a punching bag for fans who pelted the mascot with beer bottles and batteries. 30 years later, the 'Anti-Mascot' uncovers the forgotten history of a brilliant marketing scheme that spun wildly out of control.
