Way to make the news, Brad

See what happens when I take some time off. I miss stuff like this:

Announcer reports theft from the Cove

The Lansing Lugnuts split their four-game series with the South Bend Silverhawks last week, but the visitors' radio announcer came away from the trip a loser.

Announcer Brad Tillery reported to South Bend police the theft of his headphones, binoculars, carrying case and a Mr. Potato Head toy from the Coveleski Stadium broadcast booth, according to a police report. The theft was believed to have occurred between 11 p.m. July 1 and 3 p.m. July 2, when Tillery showed up to call the next night's game.

Tillery had received the Mr. Potato Head as a gift from Lugnuts Booster Club member LeAnn Cook, an avid minor league baseball fan who happens to live in Mishawaka.

Tillery makes occasional references to the toy on the air, sometimes mentioning it as if it is a real person. He dresses the toy up in different outfits, and only changes the outfit when the Lugnuts lose.

We baseball announcers are a different breed, are we not?

When reached Saturday by The Tribune, Tillery, 24, declined comment. Cook also declined to speak publicly when reached, saying she was following the wishes of "higher-ups" in the Lugnuts organization.

South Bend police officer Derek Dieter, who took the theft report, said Tillery quickly replaced the Mr. Potato Head.

"He said it was like a good luck charm," Dieter said. "He said it had all the accessories. It was the deluxe model."

In all seriousness, Dieter said the items had an estimated value of about $1,000. Dieter said there were no signs of forced entry into the broadcast booth.

You want a picture? You got this Lansing State Journal picture.
I had a good luck charm calling hockey playoffs with UW-Superior. It was a shot glass that was shaped like a hockey skate that I picked up in Bemidji, MN. It worked...right up to the Frozen Four...Well, it still works, just not for wins.