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Reading Double-A Affiliate Announces New Name: Reading Fightin' Phils. Or Reading Fightins. I Don't Even Know.

In the culmination of their effort to fix one of the most unbroken things in all of minor league baseball, the Reading Phillies announced today that they will henceforth be known as the Reading Fightins or the Reading Fightin' Phils.

"A &#%$ing *ostrich*? They're replacing me with an ostrich?!"
"A %$ing *ostrich*? They're replacing me with an ostrich?!"
Eric Hartline-US PRESSWIRE

The "rebranding" is complete and the Reading Phillies announced their new name(s) -- the Reading Fightin' Phils.

Here's your logo:

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via www.milb.com

The ostrich, of course, is a tribute to the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor, not to Bill Cosby's masterpiece Leonard Part 6.

From the article:

With its fists ready for battle, the new ostrich logo represents the fighting spirit of the franchise, both on and off the field. It will be the first time in the franchise's history that the team will feature an identifiable mascot. The logo is also the first in professional sports to feature an ostrich as its mascot.

Going to go out on a limb and guess there's a reason for that.

The team will also be incorporating more "Baseballtown" elements into its new designs, including a bevy of alternate uniforms designed to provide fans with all manner of new merchandise to purchase different ways to identify with their favorite minor league club.

Look, I don't fear change. Okay, maybe a little bit, but only when that "change" is completely unnecessary and represents little more than a money and publicity grab.

Also: This ostrich thing feels like a hoax. Mark this down.