This summer it’ll be Rowdie’s 32nd birthday, and he’s never been more popular.
The Indianapolis Indians mascot has big plans throughout the baseball season and beyond, with plenty of high-fives, autographs, photos, and more.
Jake Martinez is the man behind the mask and has entered his third year as a full-time mascot with the Indians, but Rowdie has been an important part of his life for even longer.
“It’s been really fun to watch Rowdie’s popularity grow and see the effort we’ve put into what I know he can be,” Martinez said.
This year Rowdie will make around 200 appearances in addition to 75 home games. He is attending youth sporting events, Indianapolis parades, school events and even a wedding or two.
However, Rowdie’s calendar wasn’t always so full.
Martinez had previously served as Spike the walleye and CatTick the cat for the University of Toledo. Then he did a stint as Chomps for the Cleveland Browns.
He loved physical comedy, dancing and building relationships, making the job of mascot a perfect fit.
When he arrived in Indianapolis, Martinez knew mascot work was something he wanted to continue to pursue, and in Rowdie he found a mission of sorts.
Rowdie had undergone numerous changes, but didn’t quite hit his stride until Martinez got hold of him. With his experience and knowledge of just what the fans are looking for, he and the Indians team got to work.
“If you look at a rendition of Rowdie in 1993, you might say he looks like a rat, opossum, aardvark or mouse,” Martinez said. “I had been to a couple of games and I didn’t know he was a bear. Now he looks like a bear. It was a complete refresh with a new suit, new look and new character.”
After a year or two of development, Martinez is proud to say people recognize Rowdie without even seeing his jersey, and 2025 is packed with more requested appearances and more fun.
Indians theme nights throughout the summer include firework night, team autograph night, Bark in the Park, Star Wars night, Harry Potter night and more. Rowdie will be there, and likely dressed for the occasion.
He likes to get involved and make all of the events memorable. In addition, the calendar is filling up with special events outside of the baseball field, as Rowdie continues to spread positivity and support for the community.
“Rowdie attended the Republic Airways Plane Pull, and he’ll be at the Riley Cancer Prom and Indy 500 Kids Day,” Martinez said.
He’s even headed to Nashville this summer to attend a national mascot event, and offering something extra special for Indians and Rowdie fans in August.
“The first time ever, we’ll host Mascot Mania on August 10 with the Indians,” Martinez said. “That will be Rowdie and a bunch of his friends from Major League Baseball and minor league teams. We’ll have photo ops with the mascots, and games to play with the mascots on the field before the game.”
Despite the fun and joy found in the mascot role, it’s hard work. As expected, it’s pretty hot in the Rowdie suit, and the main question Martinez gets when people find out what he does for a living relates to the heat.
“It’s true, we’re sweating in 120-degree heat at the games,” he said. “You really have to have an admiration and love for the people to do it. I’ve never hated it one time. I may have been super tired or having a bad day, but the minute the suit goes on, it all goes away.”
It doesn’t always go off without a hitch, either. Martinez has plenty of stories from over the years.
“In my first year as Rowdie we did a tricycle race, and as I rounded the corner my front wheel collapsed,” he said. “I flipped over the handlebars and happened to land on my feet. Everyone thought it was planned. What’s fun about those situations is it’s all how you react as the character. We can turn that into a memory and a fun moment for the kids and the adults.”
For the mascots and Rowdie specifically, it’s all about bringing joy to fans and creating memories to last a lifetime.
Martinez has been wearing a suit for 14 years now, and said it’s not about him and never has been.
“What’s so incredible about mascotting is putting a smile on people’s faces,” he said. “You get to give authentic love and joy to people and it’s so rewarding.”
Despite the tough days and the heat, Martinez wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I don’t think I could not be the guy in the suit,” he said. “Not only is it the work I’ve put into him, developing his personality and his look, it’s the joy I have in it. It’s truly what I’ve been called to do.”
