One-Game Name Change to Whiz Kids Announced

The IronPigs will change their name to the "Whiz Kids" for "Salute to Philadelphia Night" on Thursday, June 29 at 7:05 p.m., paying homage to both the Phillies' legendary 1950 team and Philly's love affair with all things Cheesesteaks, including Cheese Whiz!

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In conjunction with the one-game name change, the "Whiz Kids" also unveiled a new on-field cap and jersey to commemorate the "Salute to Philadelphia" Night festivities.  
"Last year, we Raised the Steaks by changing our name to the Lehigh Valley Cheesesteaks on the first-annual 'Salute to Philadelphia Night'," exclaimed IronPigs President and General Manager Kurt Landes. "This year, we're taking it a step further by honoring one of the great teams in Phillies history while also celebrating Philadelphia's passion for Cheesesteaks… whiz wit, of course!"
 Fans are encouraged to use #WhizKids on social media for a chance to win a "Whiz Kids" prize pack and to see their social posts at the brand-new LVWhizKids.com.
 In addition to the name and uniform change, other promotions planned for "Salute to Philadelphia Night" on Thursday, 29 at 7:05 p.m. against the Pawtucket Red Sox include:

• Happy Hour from 5-7 p.m. featuring $1 hot dogs and $2 domestic drafts of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania beer selections, including Victory Brewing Co., Yards Brewing Co and Yuengling.
• Philly-inspired food selections including additional Cheesesteak stands, Rita's Water Ice and Soft Pretzels.
• Appearances throughout the game by the world-famous Phillie Phanatic.
• Philadelphia-themed music and on-field contests between half-innings.
• Whiz Kids On-Field Jersey Auction (more information below on how to bid from anywhere on your favorite player's jersey).
• Exclusive Whiz Kids and Cheesesteaks merchandise available at the Majestic Clubhouse Store and at LVWhizKids.com.

Last year, cheesesteaks lovers worldwide confirmed via an online vote that the proper way to eat a cheesesteak is "wit" onions so naturally this year's on-field cap design incorporates the popular steak sandwich logo with both onions and cheese whiz. The "Whiz Kids" jersey design includes red pinstripes and the words "Whiz Kids" emblazoned across the front chest in Phillies red with blue star accents. Interestingly, the 1950 season marked the first time that the Phillies wore red pinstripes on their home jerseys.
The Phillies' 1950 "Whiz Kids" team remains of the most beloved teams in franchise history after capturing the 1950 NL pennant by two games over the Brooklyn Dodgers before eventually falling to the New York Yankees in the World Series. The Phillies didn't capture the pennant until the final day of the regular season with a 4-1 extra-innings triumph over the Dodgers on a three-run homer by Dick Sisler in the top of the 10^th inning at Ebbets Field. That game featured a star-studded pitching match-up of Phillies ace Robin Roberts opposite Don Newcombe.
Six members of the Phillies' 1950 team have been elected to the Philadelphia Baseball Wall of Fame including outfielder Richie Asburn, infielders Granny Hamner and Willie Jones and pitchers Robin Roberts, Jim Konstanty and Curt Simmons. Robins and Ashburn both are enshrined in Cooperstown as members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame while Konstanty became just the second Phillie to win the MVP award by collecting 22 saves and 16 wins as a reliever in 1950, both National League records at the time.
The term "Whiz Kids" is also a fitting description for the IronPigs as the club currently owns the best record in the International League and boasts some of the top young talent in the Phillies organization. With six of the top 10 prospects in the Phillies system currently residing in Triple-A, the Lehigh Valley has become the breeding ground for the next generation of Phillies stars.
Cheesesteaks have been referred to as both a civic icon and a cultural obsession in Philadelphia. Debuting in the 1930's, the cheesesteak was invented in Philadelphia and today is served in hundreds of steakhouses around the city. The connection between Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley runs deeper than many people think. In 1777, the Liberty Bell was hidden in Allentown so that the British army wouldn't melt it down for munitions. Of course, the city of Philadelphia's role in the founding of the United States of America is unmatched as it served as a meeting place for the Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitution in 1787.
Whiz Kids merchandise, including on-field, snapback and adjustable caps, replica jerseys, t-shirts and socks are on sale now at LVWhizKids.com and at the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Coca-Cola Park. The Majestic Clubhouse Store is open daily (Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and is the official retail store of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (and Whiz Kids).
Fans can bid on their favorite player's Whiz Kids jerseys from anywhere with the easy-to-use Qtego service that allows fans to place bids, receive notifications when outbid and check the status of their item via text messages on their mobile phones. Fans without texting access can even call in their bid after registering their phone at Coca-Cola Park. Register your phone from anywhere in the U.S. by texting "Pigs" to 79230. The bidding begins the day prior to each jersey auction and ends promptly at the end of 7th inning. Detailed instructions on how to place your bid will be made available at ironpigsbaseball.com leading up to the auction. Winning bidders of the jerseys will have the opportunity to go on the field immediately following the game to have their jersey autographed. Bidders not in attendance at Coca-Cola Park can either pick up their signed jersey at a later date or have it mailed directly to them. 
Single-game tickets, mini-plan packages and group tickets for all IronPigs home games are on sale now and can be purchased at the Coca-Cola Park Ticket Office, online at http://www.ironpigsbaseball.com/tickets or by calling (610) 841-PIGS (7447). 
The 2017 IronPigs baseball season is presented by Capital BlueCross.