You've heard the phrase "leaping lizards," but sometimes the opposite is true. Sometimes lizards stiffen up and fall to the ground. Minor League Baseball's newest alternate identity is dedicated to this Floridian phenomenon.
This coming season the Palm Beach Cardinals, St. Louis' affiliate in the Single-A Florida State League, will suit up as the Frozen Iguanas for all 12 of their Saturday home games at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. This amphibious alter-ego references a peculiar aspect of iguana behavior.
"Iguanas are an invasive species in South Florida and they love to roam around everywhere. They're normally up in trees, on golf courses, in back yards, sunbathing," explained Palm Beach Cardinals media relations director Sophia Monteleone. "But once the temperature drops below 50 degrees, they suddenly stiffen up, and they just thunk out of the trees and out of their perches, because they like to be high up."
In short: When in Florida, watch out for iguanas that have entered a state of nonpermanent paralysis.
"It's a hat tip to our community and our fans," said Monteleone. "We see you. We know where we are."
The Palm Beach Cardinals and Jupiter Hammerheads share Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, which also serves as the Spring Training home of their respective parent clubs (St. Louis and Miami). The Frozen Iguanas introduction marks the first time that either of these teams have adopted an alternate identity, which is one of very few in the Florida State League writ large.
"I hope we inspire other Florida State League teams to really get into it. I know there's so many regional things going on all across the state of Florida," said Monteleone.
The Palm Beach Frozen Iguanas, featuring "iguana green" and three shades of blue, were brought to life by Ryan Foos of Fooser Sports Design. The logo suite includes a falling iguana and two different bat-gripping iguanas, as well as "PB" in an ice cube font.
