Baseball might return this season amidst the coronavirus lockdown, but the most important member of the Philadelphia Phillies won't be there to welcome it back.
The Phillie Phanatic, along with other team mascots, will be banned from the field during the 2020 season.
A mascot ban, the elimination of the lineup card exchange, high-fives and spitting are just some of the many new protocols outlined in the 67-page draft of Major League Baseball's proposed 2020 Operations Manual. A copy was sent to teams Friday and obtained by several media outlines.
Since 1978, Phillies fans have enjoyed the Phanatic messing with opposing teams, immaculate stunts and general shenanigans. A season without the beloved mascot seems unfathomable considering his contributions to the Phillies experience for fans and players alike.
"When did we stop loving our children?" Cataldi asked. "The Phillie Phanatic made my kids big sports fans. The Phillie Phanatic is more responsible for our love of sports than any other single individual in the last 30 years in Philadelphia. It is absurd!"
The protocols include a plan for regular testing and general safety measures related to travel and locker room use. The Players Association is expected to respond to the proposal this week. The looming issue of player compensation will be hashed out after health and safety measures are put in place. The current goal is to have opening day in early July.
In the meantime, enjoy some of the Phanatic's best moments:
How could anyone forget his brawl with Tommy Lasorda?
Sometimes, we can't have nice things
He can even out-muscle Jose Bautista
Some of his greatest hits
