Look now:
Teams that may surprise in exchange for the MLB season
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Baseball is back and those two words are some that fans have almost thought they won’t hear this year. After months of negotiations, proposals and a lot of drama, the league and players have agreed on a return plan this week. There will be a season of 60 MLB games with “spring” training starting from July 1st and the regular season starting from the end of July.
Starting a season in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic means new health protocols and safety measures for managers, players, medical teams and staff.
And mascot.
That’s right, MLB hasn’t overlooked these fan favorites in their new health and safety protocol.
“Home clubs can have their mascot on the playing field if they wish, however in no case are mascots allowed on the playing field or in any other reserved area on game days,” reads the protocol.
The games will certainly look very different this season, with limited fans or no likely fans, but at least we will have a little normalcy with the strange comedy often presented by the mascots. They have been a staple at the games since 1964, when Mr. Met was introduced to the New York Mets at Shea Stadium.
Currently, all but three teams have an “official” mascot: The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels. In the meantime, five mascots with MLB connections have the honor of being in the Mascot Hall of Fame (yes, it’s a real thing): Kansas City Royals ‘Sluggerrr, the San Diego Chicken, the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic, Mr. Met and Cleveland Indian’s Slider.
