Minor League Baseball

HBO's John Oliver Rebrands Double-A Erie From SeaWolves to Moon Mammoths

On Sunday's episode of "Last Week Tonight With John Oliver," it was revealed that the Detroit Tigers' Double-A affiliate would be renamed next month.
Sam Connon|
Los Angeles, CA, USA; John Oliver at the 76th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles, CA, USA; John Oliver at the 76th Emmy Awards at the Peacock Theater on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. | Kevork Djansezian-USA TODAY

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Detroit Tigers

After weeks of waiting, the most high-profile rebrand in minor league baseball has been set in stone.

Emmy-winning comedian John Oliver offered a full rebrand to one lucky minor league team on an episode of "Last Week Tonight With John Oliver" in May, ultimately selecting the Erie SeaWolves from the dozens of organizations that expressed interest. On Sunday's show, Oliver revealed that the Detroit Tigers' Double-A affiliate will adopt the the Erie Moon Mammoths as an alternate identity.

The name stems from the mammoth fossil found by local man George Moon in 1991, which was on display for public viewing for one day only back in 2012.

Oliver launched the Moon Mammoths branding with a new mascot, merchandise and a hype video narrated by legendary broadcaster Bob Costas.

"We’re excited to partner with Last Week Tonight with John Oliver to bring baseball fans a new experience that is playful, prehistoric, purposeful, and purple," Erie Team President Greg Coleman said in a statement. "Special thanks to SeaWolves owner Fernando Aguirre, the Last Week Tonight with John Oliver production team, Major League Baseball, VisitErie, UPMC, the Detroit Tigers, key vendors, and our front office crew for their creativity, support, flexibility, and discretion."

Erie will play as the Moon Mammoths when they take on the Baltimore Orioles' Chesapeake Baysox – who will be assuming their own alternate identity of the Oyster Catchers – at UPMC Park on July 19. Oliver and Moon are both slated to attend the game.

The Moon Mammoths will not be Erie's permanent name moving forward, but they will take on the branding for additional contests on Aug. 19, Sept. 12 and Sept. 13.

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Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a staff writer for “Minor League Baseball on SI’’ and other "On SI'' baseball sites. He previously covered UCLA Athletics for “UCLA on SI’’ and won awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for “New England Patriots on SI’’ and was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Follow Sam on Twitter @SamConnon.

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