Spring training hasn’t started yet, but Tampa Bay Rays catcher Ryan Hanigan is already winning off the field.
Hanigan’s dog, an Australian Shepherd, earned a ribbon Monday at the Westminster Kennel Club’s annual dog show at Madison Square Garden. The 3-year-old dog, named Vivian (her stage name is Copperridge What’s Your Dream), beat out 43 other Australian Shepherds to win the best of breed ribbon, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
“It’s incredible that she went from my No. 1 bed buddy to best of breed at Westminster!!!” Hanigan wrote in a text message to The Associated Press.
Hanigan spent most of the past seven seasons with the Cincinnati Reds before signing with the Rays this offseason. He batted .262/.359./343 in his career with the Reds.
