Truck Day sendoff an annual rite of spring
It's time to go to Clearwater! The Phillie Phanatic, with help from a Philadelphia police escort, will lead the truck down Phillies Drive for a spring training sendoff amongst hundreds of rally-towel waving fans and Phillies front office staff and construction workers.
Special guests taking part include 1993 National League Champion and Phillies Ambassador Mickey Morandini and Phillies Ballgirls, as well as local sports mascots including Gritty from the Philadelphia Flyers, Franklin the Dog from the Philadelphia 76ers, Swoop from the Philadelphia Eagles, Phang from the Philadelphia Union, Soulman from the Philadelphia Soul and Wingtson from the Philadelphia Wings.
:: Spring Training coverage presented by Camping World ::
The truck will travel 1,058 miles, passing through eight states, before being unloaded at its final destination of Spectrum Field on Sunday, February 10 - just three days before the first official workout for Phillies pitchers and catchers on Wednesday, February 13. The first home game at Spectrum Field is Saturday, February 23, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
SAMPLING OF WHAT'S GOING ON THE TRUCK:
- 10,000 12 oz. POWERADE cups
- 2,400 baseballs
- 2,000 short and long sleeve shirts
- 1,200 bats
- 900 socks
- 600 pairs of pants
- 600 batting practice hats
- 350 pairs of shorts
- 300 batting gloves
- 250 batting practice tops
- 200 fleeces
- 200 light jackets
- 140 batting helmets
- 125 leather and elastic belts
- 75 pairs of assorted spike, plastic and turf shoes
- 40 heavy jackets
- 20 coolers and a half pallet of POWERADE mix
- 12 sets of golf clubs
- 6 bikes
- 1 Phanatic hot dog launcher