Will umps and catchers wear two masks? They did in 1919

By Larry (Baron) Shenk

Philadelphia Phillies

With no baseball on a beautiful afternoon in July, a quizzical mind wondered into a realm of randomness. Or, as the psychiatrist proclaimed, “You have too much time on your hands.”

Did You Know

12:34:56 on 7/8/90 amounted to 1234567890.

The last time baseball had a 60-game season was the National League in 1878. Boston Red Stockings, Chicago White Stockings, Cincinnati Reds, Indianapolis Blues, Providence Grays, Milwaukee Grays. Yep, no Philadelphia or New York.

Last time Phillies held spring training in Philadelphia, 1901, Baker Bowl (I guess). Apologies to the MLB marketing minds. Teams are not in spring training. It is Summer Camp sponsored by Camping World.!

The Phillies best record through the first 60 games of a season is 43-17 (1993).

The Phillies season is scheduled to open on July 24. Well, Phillies are 49-59 on that date. Maybe it will rain.

Since attendance will be zero, what is the Phillies lowest previous attendance? I found 200 for the Phillies-Braves game at Shibe Park, September 26, 1939. That said, many box scores during WW II do not list attendance.

Greg Luzinski was the Phillies first ever DH (World Series, 1980). Darren Daulton, their first DH in interleague play (1997). Ryan Howard first DH in a regular season NL park (2010). Series was shifted from Toronto to Philly over concern about civil unrest during the June 26-27 G-20 Summit in Toronto. Phis batted 1st; designated hitter for both teams.

“I went to the store last week wearing my catcher’s mask. They told me it was the wrong mask,” Bob Uecker.

Just Wondering

Kudos to the Galapagos Island plastic surgeon who gave the aging Phillie Phanatic a semi-new look. Phanatic will be allowed at CBP games but not on the field, dugout roof or near players. What will he do? Mime the Phillies batting order for TV? Retrieve home run balls?

What on earth will the Phanatic use as a mask to cover that large snout? A tablecloth?

Flatten the curve was drummed into us early in the pandemic. When that happened, it was a good thing. When a pitcher throws a flattened curve, managers grimace. Fans wind up with a home run souvenir. Oops, not in 2020.

In this pandemic baseball season, is social distancing the new terminology for defensive positioning?

Will players on the field hear press box announcements? “That bad play is an E 6”.

Should launch angle be rephrased as contact tracing?

Will the Citizens Bank Park Liberty Bell ring after Phillies home runs and wins? Will we hear it on radio and TV?

Will the pitcher be the only one allowed on the mound during mound conferences because of physical distancing? Will it have a circle-the-wagon look?

With extra players sitting in the stands will they make a mad-dash scramble for foul balls as fans did during old-normal times?

With no traditional opening day ceremonies, no fans in the stands and no Phillie Phanatic on the field, will we quietly remember this opener?

Who will lead Phillies in homers in this 60-game season and how many? FYI: Bryce Harper had 11 in first 60-games a year ago.

Will fans watching games at home join in air high-5 celebrations?

Could a relief pitcher could lead his club in wins this season? Best I can find for my Phillies 1989: Starter Ken Howell (12-12); reliever Jeff Parrett (12-6).

Phinally

Will catchers and home plate umpires become the first in baseball history to wear two masks? The answer is no. They did during the 1919 flu pandemic.