BEN PASQUESI
10, Glenview (with his mom, Bobbie Pasquesi, 40, also of Glenview)
Ben: “The Bull from the Chicago Bulls.”
Bobbie: “You mean Benny the Bull?”
Ben: “He has the same name as I do.”
Bobbie (laughing): “I never thought of that.”
JAMIE SCHWAB
29, Chicago
“Roobarb. He was the White Sox mascot from the ’80s. Roobarb gave me an autograph on a ball that I caught at the old Comiskey Park.”
JESSE TREVINO
32, Chicago (with his nephew, Ethan, 9, of Chicago)
Jesse: “I go with the Bulls. Benny the Bull. I’ve just been a Bulls fan from day one. And he’s good with the kids, too. (To Ethan) You like Benny right?” (Ethan shrugs)
AARON BASILIUS
28, Chicago
“Slamson [the Sacramento Kings mascot]. He’s not very old. The rise of Slamson corresponds with the rise of the Kings and the Maloofs. I’m from Sacramento. He exemplifies Sacramento sports. It’s not a very distinguished history, but he gives us hope for the future.”
DAN FRAILICH
21, Minneapolis
“Ragnar [the Minnesota Vikings mascot]. He’s a real person. You see him in and out of character. When you run into him, he’s a nice guy, but when you see him on the field, he’s riding his Harley and acting all bad.”
STEVE GASSMAN
42, Chicago
“I used to think Waldo [the White Sox Wolf] was cool. I like Willie the Wildcat from Northwestern. But it’s the San Diego Chicken, now that I think about it.”
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Text and photos by Glenn Jeffers
