KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Initially, the Milwaukee Brewers possessed “pocket pancakes.” Presently, they feature pocket turtles.
Correction: a tortoise.
A clarification of these events is likely necessary.
In August of last year, during a game against the Nationals, Pat Murphy, the Brewers’ manager, was observed retrieving a pancake from his hoodie’s pocket for a snack mid-game, precisely during a dugout interview. This behavior wasn’t unprecedented for Murphy, renowned for keeping various snacks, from waffles to egg rolls, readily accessible whenever hunger struck.
However, since the game received national television coverage, the incident swiftly achieved widespread online popularity. Furthermore, the Brewers capitalized on this surge, unveiling “Murph’s Pocket Pancakes” as special concession offerings for Sunday home matches at American Family Field.
Returning to the turtle – or rather, the tortoise.
The Brewers had been scheduled to face the Royals on Friday evening via Apple TV, but the match was canceled 90 minutes prior to its commencement due to inclement weather. During a pre-match discussion with Apple’s reporter, Tricia Whitaker, Murphy stated he was explicitly told, “under no uncertain terms, no pocket pancakes” for their segment, prompting him to produce what was intended as a pocket turtle.
“This is Bobby Jr.,” Murphy declared as he presented the creature to her, explaining that he had christened it after his enduring friend, Bobby Witt, and his offspring, the Royals’ prominent player, Bobby Witt Jr. He added, “I wished to avoid displaying pancakes, hence this.”
Bobby Jr. is fitting in just fine 🐢 https://t.co/5nlnr7bHyj pic.twitter.com/SJXJd9AxMd
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) April 4, 2026
Whitaker shared the occurrence on social media, and followers promptly enlightened her that the creature was not, in actuality, a pocket turtle – nor any turtle at all. It was identified as a tortoise, more precisely a sulcata tortoise, capable of reaching an age of 70 years and a weight of 100 pounds.
“How am I meant to transport this home by air?” Whitaker inquired.
A valid query.
It emerged, as Whitaker subsequently announced on social media, that American Airlines maintains “a strict no reptiles policy,” thereby necessitating Bobby Jr.’s retention in Kansas City. The understanding, she penned, was for the club to care for the tortoise temporarily.
Subsequently, the reptile was contentedly residing beneath a heat lamp within the visiting clubhouse at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday; however, the intention is to locate a suitable permanent residence for Bobby Jr. shortly. He will not accompany the team throughout the entire season.
“A player proposed,” Whitaker remarked, “that they ought to retain the ‘rally turtle’ should they achieve victory today.” “Should they suffer a defeat, I trust that dispatching the tortoise to me will be deliberated.”