The Masked Phenoms

The Renegades teased a big announcement today.

It started with a picture of Rascal, their (wait...our) trusty and legendary mascot.

Then came a graphic featuring colors.

Next came more of those colors with a different take on the "HV" logo.

I posted about it, and friends speculated.

Will Rob manage the team?

Will Rascal be renamed "Rob?"

Will it be a Rob press conference?

No...no...and no.

The Gades will be joining MILB's Copa de la Diversión initiative in 2020. Translated as "Fun Cup," Minor League Baseball defines it as "...a season-long event series specifically designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with participating teams' local U.S. Hispanic/Latino communities."

And so the Hudson Valley Renegades will become Fenómenos Enmascarados del Valle de Hudson.

The Hudson Valley Masked Phenoms.

From the Gades' website: "'Fenómenos Enmascarados,' which directly translates to "Masked Phenoms," celebrates the rich blend of Hispanic cultures throughout the Hudson Valley. In celebration of Lucha Libre culture, Hudson Valley aims to provide a blend of fighting spirit and showmanship at the ballpark."

The dates for the "Fenoms" (not sure if that's the official term but I'm trying it out) will be released at a later date.

While I'm only the broadcaster, I don't speak for the team, so let me be very clear on that. But in reading the questions from fans online, I can tell you that this does not mean the Renegades are changing the official logo or uniform or name.

They are not leaving the New York-Penn League, despite a recent story that said Minor League Baseball might contract some teams. There's a long way to go before that becomes a real conversation.

I can tell you all of this because 1) that's not what Copa de la Diversión is all about and 2) I saw the team respond to those questions themselves.

This is literally along the lines of things that I've seen MLB and MILB teams do. It's a game or a couple of games or a handful of games.

This is the Staten Island Pizza Rats or los Mets and other alternate identities. It's good for marketing, promotion, merchandising (I'll be looking at hats and other goodies myself) as well as culturally.

It's also fun. As it should be.

Which the Renegades...er...Fenoms are all about.