72 Across

NYT Daily • August 3, 2025

Baseball team whose mascot is Wally the Green Monster

Answer:

REDSOX

Hint:

["Here’s a helpful hint for your crossword clue:\n\n*\"This team plays at Fenway Park and has a rivalry with the Yankees.\"*\n\nThis hint provides context about the team’s home stadium and a famous rivalry, which are strong associations with the **Red Sox** without directly giving away the answer. It’s easier than the original clue but still requires the solver to make the connection."]

Explanation:

The clue **"Baseball team whose mascot is Wally the Green Monster"** leads to the answer **"REDSOX"** through the following reasoning: 1. **Team Identification**: The clue refers to a baseball team with a well-known mascot named **Wally the Green Monster**. This mascot is associated with the **Boston Red Sox**, a Major League Baseball team. 2. **Mascot Connection**: Wally the Green Monster is a beloved mascot of the Red Sox, named after the famous **"Green Monster"**, the iconic left-field wall at Fenway Park, the team's home stadium. 3. **Answer Format**: The answer is written as **"REDSOX"** (without a space) to fit standard crossword conventions, where team names are often abbreviated or written as a single word. Thus, the clue cleverly points to the **Red Sox** by referencing their mascot and the team's unique stadium feature.