HOUSTON – Mauricio Dubón is an unabashed dog lover. Other than his wife, his baby son and other immediate family, Dubón’s two dogs are perhaps the most important living beings in his life. He’s paid tribute to his dogs previously by putting their names on his cleats and other equipment, so you can only imagine how excited he is about Saturday.
The first 10,000 fans who come through the gates prior to Saturday’s game between the Astros and Angels at Daikin Park will receive a bobblehead of Dubón holding his two dogs -- Marcelo (a pug) and Cash (a Frenchie).
“They surprised me with that one and I said, ‘That’s pretty cool,’” Dubón said.
Sunday is Dog Day at Daikin Park, which means dogs will be allowed into the park for the game. The first 500 dogs to enter the park will receive an Astros dog toy, and Dubón hopes to have Marcelo and Cash there, as well. And if things work out, the pooches could be on the field for the ceremonial first pitch.
“We’re trying to figure out what we can do, because my wife has the baby now,” Dubón said. “We’re trying to figure out how we can do it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
On Father’s Day, which was Dubón’s first, he honored his son, Luciano, wife, Nancy, and two dogs by wearing a custom belt and cleats.
Luciano’s name was on the toe of the right shoe and Marcelo and Cash had their names on the toe of the left shoe. What’s more, his infield glove has Cash’s name on it, and his outfield glove bears Marcelo’s name.
“I try to put their names on batting gloves, everything,” Dubón said. “Everything is Marcelo and Cash. It’s a pretty big deal for me, actually. I think this one is better than the Gold Glove [bobblehead] one. I’m excited for this one.”
Last year, the Astros gave out a bobblehead that depicted a diving Dubón with a Gold Glove. Dubón won the 2023 Gold Glove for a utility player in the American League. The Astros gave away a bobblehead last year of Justin Verlander with his two dogs, and Dubón was a bit jealous.
“He had a dog one, and I said, ‘That’s pretty cool, and hopefully I can do one,’” he said.
Dubón got Marcelo in 2017, and he and his wife rescued Cash in ’22, saving him from being euthanized. The Astros won the World Series in ’22 (they also won the World Series in ’17, but Dubón wasn’t on the team), so perhaps Cash is a good-luck charm and more than just man’s best friend.
“They’ve been my partners for a while,” Dubón said.
Dubón has always been a dog person, even more so after he adopted Marcelo. These days, he tries to assist with dog charities when he can. Dubón also has about eight dogs at his home in Honduras. They’re all pugs except for an American Cocker Spaniel.
“We love them,” he said.
So how many dog bobbleheads will Dubón take home?
“Probably a lot,” he said. “Everybody is asking me for it.”
On Friday, the first 10,000 fans through the gates at Daikin Park will receive a Player Nickname Jersey, including Jose Altuve (Tuve), Yordan Alvarez (Air Yordan), Jake Meyers (Rake Meyers) and Dubon (Dubi)