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R-Phils Celebrate Reading’s Hispanic Culture, Fighting Spirit as “Luchadores”

From the Reading Fightin Phils

Nov 18, 2019

As part of MiLB’s Copa Initiative, “Luchadores” Logo Pays Tribute to the City of Reading

 The Reading Fightin Phils, in conjunction with Minor League Baseball, announced the unveiling of a new alternate identity for the 2020 season, Los Luchadores de Reading. The brand new Luchadores logo pays tribute to Reading’s Hispanic/Latino culture and the city’s iconic elements.

Copa de la Diversión, or “Fun Cup,” is an ongoing event series throughout Minor League Baseball, specifically designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with participating teams’ local U.S. Hispanic/Latino communities.

In 2019, 403 Copa-inspired games took place throughout Minor League Baseball. These games on average welcomed 20% more attendees as compared to non-Copa games through September 1st of this year.

The new identity represents more than a Luchador. “Luchar” means “to fight for,” and “Luchador” translates to “fighter,” but it also signifies a specific type of fighter – a masked wrestler.

The mask logo pays tribute to some of the most notable elements of the city of Reading. Embodied in the Luchador’s mask is Reading’s Pagoda, surrounded by 23 sun rays representing the Latin American countries and Puerto Rico. Down the bridge of the nose is Reading’s Fire Tower. Home plate serves as the Luchador’s mouth, with FirstEnergy Stadium’s facade creating the upper lip. Below the chin are train tracks, symbolic of the historic Reading Railroad, and along the side are baseball seams, a nod to Baseballtown’s rich history.

Watch the video about the unveiling of the Luchadores mask and logo here:

https://www.milb.com/reading/video/los-luchadores-logo-unveiled/c-31000010561?tid=291430534

The City of Reading has the largest Hispanic population in the state of Pennsylvania, by percentage of population. More than 64% of the City of Reading is made up of Hispanics/Latinos, or over 57,000 residents.

The R-Phils will play as Los Luchadores during select home games throughout the 2020 season. The new on-field caps and uniforms for Los Luchadores will be unveiled in March.

 

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