It has been an eventful first couple of weeks of spring training for the Philadelphia Phillies, with everything from big moves like the signing of Whit Merrifield to the players grumbling about the new Nike uniforms.
Here's a roundup of some more news stories that we can't let slip through the cracks.
Citizens Bank Park has a new right field scoreboard
Last season saw the Phillies replace the scoreboard in left field at Citizens Bank Park with a new and larger digital model. This offseason, the upgrades at the ballpark continued, and a new digital out-of-town scoreboard has been added in right field for the 2024 season. The replacement of the older scoreboard seemed to sadden quite a few Phillies fans.
A post on X from wawdphilliespod (@wawdphilliespod) shows the differences between the new and old scoreboards. The old scoreboard had some classic ballpark charm, but this newer model may add some cool new elements to the in-game experience in 2024.
We'll just have to wait and see what it looks like on Opening Day.
Phillies' team bus involved in a post-game fender bender
The Phillies were on the road for game three of their Grapefruit League schedule against the Red Sox on Monday in Fort Myers, Florida. The Phillies lost to the Red Sox 7-6 in a game that saw newly signed Whit Merrifield belt a two-run homer, in addition to solo shot's from Darick Hall and Aramis Garcia.
Following the game, the Philadelphia team bus was involved in a minor accident as the team was leaving Fort Myers, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Luckily, no players or staff were injured as a result of the incident.
A Phillies bus was involved in an accident following today's game against the Red Sox in Ft. Myers. Nobody on the bus suffered any injuries. https://t.co/LXx1jhJY91
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) February 27, 2024
According to Zolecki, the bus was rear-ended by another vehicle and was forced to wait for one hour while police investigated the accident. The Phillies traveled to Fort Myers with only a few regulars in the road game, but Johan Rojas, Edmundo Sosa, and Yunior Marte were all passengers on the bus when the incident occurred.
Rhys Hoskins has earned a new nickname with the Brewers
One of the toughest parts of the offseason was watching Rhys Hoskins sign with the Milwaukee Brewers in free agency. Hoskins, who signed a two-year $34 million contract with the Brewers, found himself the odd man out with Bryce Harper shifting to first base full-time in 2024.
But the "Big Fella" is starting to adjust to his new surroundings, and according to a recent post by The Athletic's Tyler Kepner, Hoskins has already earned a new nickname in Brewers spring training camp.
Best nickname this spring: “Pee Wee,” for Rhys Hoskins. The new Brewer is 6-foot-4, but as manager Pat Murphy says, “why would I care about that? It’s a great nickname.” (Pee Wee Reese was a HOF shortstop for the Dodgers.)
— Tyler Kepner (@TylerKepner) February 26, 2024
The 6-foot-4 Hoskins now answering to "Pee Wee" is anything but tiny, but baseball nicknames usually border on the absurd. The Brewers previously angered Phillies fans with some video-editing shenanigans when they announced the signing of Hoskins. The slugger didn't seem to mind the viral video, however, and looks forward to the new competitive spirit between Phillies and Brewers fans.
Fans can see Hoskins back in Philadelphia for the first time when the Brewers come to town for a three-game series June 3-5.