Gwinnett Braves pick Chopper as mascot’s name

Before a throng of screaming grade schoolers, the Gwinnett Braves on Monday morning introduced “Chopper” as the name of their minor-league team mascot.

Chopper won out over Shadow and Pop-Up in a name the mascot contest for its portly, cartoonish groundhog. Chopper, submitted by Jim Bennett of Lilburn, was the fan favorite during online voting. The three final names were selected from the 4,396 entries.

The name was unveiled during ceremonies at Lawrenceville Elementary School.

“We plan for our mascot to be a major representation of our team and our brand in the community,” Gwinnett Braves General Manager Bruce Baldwin said in an earlier press release. “For this reason, we wanted our community and future fans to be actively involved in the naming, origin and character of the mascot.”

Chopper is inspired by General Beauregard Lee, Ph.D., the groundhog star of the Yellow River Game Ranch in Lilburn and “Georgia’s Official Weather Prognosticator” fortelling the coming of spring.

The Gwinnett Braves is the Triple A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Relocating from Richmond, Va., the team’s first home game is scheduled April 17 against Norfolk.

— Larry Hicks