To mark the 50-year affiliation mark with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Reading Fightin Phils (Class AA; Eastern League) will feature a “50 Seasons in Reading” logo throughout the season.
The “50 Seasons in Reading” logo will be featured prominently throughout the 2016 season on apparel, promotional giveaways, and marketing efforts. This new golden emblem will also have a presence at the Phillies Future Game on March 31st, 2016.
Only three teams in Minor League Baseball history have reached the 50-season plateau in the organization’s 114 year history. The Lakeland Flying Tigers (High A; Florida State League) has been a Detroit Tigers affiliate since 1963, and the Appy League’s Bluefield Orioles was affiliated with Baltimore from 1958 through 2010.
During the five-decade history with the Philadelphia Phillies, Reading has been the launching pad to the careers of two Hall of Famers (Mike Schmidt and Ryne Sandberg), four National League Most Valuable Players ( Schmidt, Sandberg, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins), two American League Most Valuable Players (George Bell and Willie Hernandez), two National League Rookie of the Years (Scott Rolen and Howard), a National League Cy Young (Mark Davis), and a American League Cy Young Winner (Hernandez).
Baseballtown was also where key members of both Philadelphia Phillies World Series Champion teams cut their teeth before making history on the diamond in 1980 and 2008.
The logo was co-designed by Brandiose and Fightins Executive Director of Graphic Arts & Game Entertainment Matt Jackson. Based out of San Diego, California, Brandiose has designed the logos for the Harrisburg Senators, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, and Richmond Flying Squirrels.