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When the Fredericksburg Nationals were pondering the identity of their mascot, a paradox arose.

Since the minor-league baseball team envisioned a personality unique to Fredericksburg, George and Mary Washington were unsurprisingly among the first candidates for the job. But the duties of a minor-league mascot include behavior that the Founding Fathers might have frowned upon.

“We knew we couldn’t have George or Mary Washington go on up the dugout and shake their butt,” said Robbie Perry, the team’s vice president of creative services. “George Washington wouldn’t streak across the baseball field.”

His imaginary friend would, though.

If you think you’ve been waiting a long time for baseball’s return to Fredericksburg, get in line. Gus the FredNat has been lurking in the background for more than 250 years, inconspicuous despite his purple fur and bright green eyebrows.

He was even present at Ferry Farm for the iconic cherry tree scene, video evidence of which the team released on Twitter recently.

“Once George Washington went to war, Gus stayed here,” Perry said of the mascot’s backstory. “Gus has been waiting for baseball to come back.”