Hank the Brewers dog

Hank was a stray, but enough of a self-promoter to
 hang around a big league club's spring training complex. 

I'm a sucker for a dog rescue story, so of course I love the story of Hank and the Milwaukee Brewers.

When the Brewers opened spring training in mid February, a bedraggled stray started hanging around the complex in Maryvale, Ariz. A stadium worker took him to a vet, who determined that he had at some point been hit by a car.

He quickly became an unofficial mascot, hanging out at the park wearing a Brewers bandana or dog shirt -- or a hot dog outfit to take part in the sausage race. He's become the star of camp.

Today Hank the Ballpark Dog (named in honor of Henry Aaron) is to be the center of a Pet Adoption Day at the Brewers' game with Kansas City. The Arizona Humane Society will have animals available for adoption on site, and Hank will be on hand to take photos with those who donate to the organization.

Hank's not available for adoption himself. The Brewers aren't saying who, but Hank has a forever home now (but still doing sleepovers with players or other team personnel). And there's a "rumor" that he'll take part in the sausage race at Miller Park on opening day.

Hank confers with catcher Jonathan Lucroy.