The Rock Cats are back– kind of.
The Hartford Yard Goats will use their former identity for two games this upcoming season, the team announced Monday. The games are set for May 27 and 28, with a uniform, cap and logo reveal set for Wednesday and tickets for both games on sale Thursday.
The team has used alternate identities before– including playing as the Hartford Steamed Cheeseburgers, Bouncing Pickles, Leaf Peepers and Praying Mantises, among others.
The return to the ‘Rock Cats’ name will mark its first re-introduction since the minor league baseball franchise moved to Hartford in 2016. It played in New Britain from 1983-2014, and was known as the Rock Cats from 1994-2014.
The Yard Goats also announced that the first 1,000 fans on May 28 will receive a David Ortiz Rock Cats bobblehead. Ortiz played for the Rock Cats as a Twins minor leaguer in 1997, and also made a rehab stint there in 2001.
#BREAKING Big Papi is coming back to Connecticut! As a Bobblehead, but still. May 28th the first 1,000 fans will receive a David Ortiz Rock Cats bobblehead, presented by Performance Pump & Well Services. The team will take the field as the Rock Cats that same night. Did you know… pic.twitter.com/2FAah0Ihr3
— Hartford Yard Goats (@GoYardGoats) February 2, 2026