In country music, Hank Williams, Jr. once sang about those old "family traditions." While all families have them, some are good, and some are bad. For Chase, Derby and now Rookie, the family tradition brings smiles to the faces of thousands of Trenton Thunder baseball fans every season. The trio, a father-son-grandson have been the teams "bat dogs" for 14 seasons.

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." - Yogi Berra

Chase started the tradition for the New Yankees minor league affiliate in 2002, proudly hauling lumber until his age and failing health forced his retirement in 2012. In 2009, he was proudly joined on the field by his son Derby, who took over full time duties following the 2012 season. In 2015, in an effort to expand the family business, Derby was joined on the field by his son, the appropriately named Rookie.

The canine family definitely takes a quote from the legendary baseball sage Yogi Berra to heart. "Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." The three golden retrievers have definitely proven the old adage, the family that retrieves together, stays together,

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