One Massachusetts-based mutt is trying out for the Red Sox next season with an impressive hit using just a wiffle bat and a doggy ball.
Pepper aka Big Pupi, a Blue Heeler, grasps the bat in her mouth, paces the batter's box waiting for the pitch, violently swings the bat back and expertly makes contact like a pro, sending the ball flying in a moment that has impressed sports and dog lovers alike.
The video, originally posted on Instagram by melis_lawrence, reached over 12K views initially, before being picked up by TikTok channel Barstool Sports, set to an appropriate baseball commentary sound bite and accompanied by tongue-in-cheek caption "How does this effect Air Buds legacy?" racking up over 16 million views in the process.
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Many people are amazed by the promise Pepper shows in potentially taking up a career in Major League Baseball, with the OP @melis_lawrence tagging the official Major League Baseball Instagram account in her comment: "Hey @mlb she’s a free agent!"
Leo_soulchild jokes, "Awesome. SportsCenter/ESPN sent me here" while Sarah Koza chipped in about the breed and their incredible capability: "Absolutely brilliant! I have a Blue Heeler also and she develops the craziest talents and skills. But nothing that compares to teeth-eye coordination like Pepper!"
Meanwhile, over on TikTok, @Customer_support comments: "Damn, you ever think of farming the pup out to the reds for the season?"
Marky says: "Imagine explaining to your neighbor your dog broke the window" and @marcusallen741 adds: "Showed this to my dogs and they spoke to me in plain English “go be with him then.”
Eat your heart out Major Leagues!
