UCLA pitcher shares his secret weapon: A two-inch toy dinosaur named 'Jerry'

A UCLA pitcher, Angel Cervantes, keeps a two-inch toy Triceratops named Jerry behind him whenever he pitches. The dinosaur serves as a familiar reassurance point and helps him stay calm. Coach John Savage notes that Cervantes does not take himself too seriously and that the superstition brings a chuckle while still being meaningful to the pitcher. Jerry gained attention after Cervantes used it during a postseason debut, with broadcasts and social media amplifying the story. Cervantes says Jerry is a key part of his plan because it keeps him calm. Jerry began in high school photography class, where Cervantes and a friend created and named mini dinosaurs, later bringing Jerry to the mound.

"“[Cervantes] used the word childish,” Savage recalled. “And I kind of like that because that's the first thing you think, like, 'What the hell? Baby dinosaur? What are we doing?' And so, he got a little chuckle out of it. He doesn't take himself too serious, and I like that from a young guy. But it's something that he loves and works off and, you know, good for him.”"

"“Jerry, he's a big part of my plan,” he said. “He just keeps me calm.” The Triceratops has been calming Cervantes since his senior year at Downey's Warren High School."

"Jerry took the world by storm as Cervantes, making his postseason debut Sunday, tossed five scoreless innings in UCLA's 3-2 11-inning win over Oregon in the Big Ten championship game. The broadcast crew zoomed in on the dino, and the rest remains history."

"In George Redfox's photography class, Cervantes and his classmates were assigned to take pictures of mini dinosaurs on the ground at varying angles. With the longtime teacher's approval, Cervantes and a friend kept a pair of dinosaurs; one was named Tom, and the other Jerry, inspired by the show Cervantes loved watching with his dad growing up."

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