The Phillies might be getting a new mascot | Cartoon

Someone should check in to see how Gritty is doing.

It’s opening day in Philadelphia. Despite the rain and frigid temperatures, the air is filled with unbridled optimism about the Phillies as fans enter Citizens Bank Park for the first time since 2019.

Unfortunately, Flyers fans aren’t experiencing the same sense of euphoria. The team is having a tough go of it lately, hitting a new low after an embarrassing loss Wednesday night to a Buffalo Sabres team that had lost 18 straight games.

“It’s not a fun night to be a Flyer,” NBC analyst Scott Hartnell said during the game, the understatement of the year after the team allowed more goals in March (75, or 4.4 goals per game) than any other month in franchise history.

The Flyers finished 6-10-1 last month, goalie Carter Hart might need a new sports psychologist, and former standout Shayne Gostisbehere was waived by the team but not claimed by anyone. But other than that, it’s all good!

Anyway, let’s all forget the orange and black for the next few days and focus instead on the Phillies. Say goodbye to the cardboard cutouts and the piped-in fan noise, and welcome back the Phillie Phanatic. And if Gritty needs to shed his Flyers jersey and start wearing some pinstripes for the sake of his sanity, I won’t judge him.

» READ MORE: Five things to know as the Phillies welcome fans back to Citizens Bank Park

Here are some of my recent cartoons. For more editorial cartoons, visit inquirer.com/opinion/cartoons/.