Phillies To Unveil Pope Francis Rookie Cards Wednesday
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Here's one baseball card even the most avid collector probably doesn't have: A Pope Francis rookie card. The Phillies are making them available at tonight's game.
The Pope Francis rookie card has his picture on the front, and his "stats" on the back: Born in Buenos Aires, 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, papal debut March 13, 2013.
The card is available tonight at the first and third base gates at Citizens Bank Park. But why a rookie card?
Scott Frankze and Larry Andersen playfully explored that during last night's broadcast on Talkradio 1210 WPHT.
Franzke: "Is there something...did he not get enough at-bats to extinguish his rookie status?"
Andersen: "Maybe that's it!"
Franzke: "...or pitch enough innings"
Phillies spokeswoman Bonnie Clark told KYW Newsradio the team decided to make it a rookie card because, well Pope Francis has never played pro ball.
