The annual Mascot Mania in which you pick your favorite minor league mascot is currently underway.

Each summer, baseball fans throughout the country vote for the best mascot in all of minor league baseball. In 2013, Lou Seal – the mascot of the Cleveland Indians AAA affiliate Columbus Clippers took home the championship belt. In 2012, Orbit – the mascot of the Los Angeles Dodgers AAA affiliate Albuquerque Isotopes took home the title.

Then there’s my personal favorite, Savannah Sand Gnats own “Gnate the Gnat”.

I won’t hide that I’m playing favorites on this one. I actively campaigned for Gnate last summer prior to writing for MetsMerized. I’ve gotten to know the person behind the costume and would love to see Gnate take home the crown this year.

Gnate won the South Atlantic League Title last season before finishing third in the overall voting in 2013. In 2012, the format was a bracket style tournament and Gnate made the Elite Eight before losing to Phinley, the mascot of the Clearwater Threshers (the high A affiliate of the Phillies).

While we may not be able to get the Mets into the playoffs this year, we were able to get David Wright into the All Star game at Citifield. We can also bring one title home for the Mets. We all know that Mr. Met is the best mascot in the majors. We can make Gnate the best mascot in the minors.

So how about it? Let’s ride the back of our best prospect in the minors and bring the title home!

You can vote two ways – unlimited voting can be done right on the Mascot Mania site: http://www.milb.com/milb/fans/mascot_mania/y2014/index.jsp

Voting can also be done via twitter by using the hashtags #Vote4Gnate #MascotMania and @MiLB in a tweet or via a retweet.

Gnate’s not the only Mets mascot to support – let’s not forget our other mascots!

Cosmo – Las Vegas 51s – #VoteCosmos51s
Hickory and the Hot Dog Horse – Binghamton – #VoteTheHotDogHorse
Klutch – St. Lucie Mets – #VoteKlutch_STLMets
Sandy the Seagull – Brooklyn Cyclones – #VoteSandytheSeagull
Slider – Kingsport Mets – #VoteSliderKingsport

The first round of voting to determine the champion of each league runs until August 4th. Each league champion goes into the final round to determine the overall winner of Mascot Mania on August 11th.

(Photo: MiLB.com and Savannahnow.com)