A huge part of enjoying a baseball game is the mascot’s antics. Players on the field are big fun but the mascot on the sidelines and his bizarre tricks keep the crowds entertained. The same went for the Philadelphia Phillies and their uber-popular green monster, the Phillie Phanatic. Since the team is playing a series against the Los Angeles Angels, his latest victim was Shohei Ohtani.

The Japanese marvel has been making headlines all year long for his spectacular two-way play. Now fans are cursing the baseball gods because of a UCL tear that will keep him from pitching the rest of the season. Even so, analysts predict Sho-time will go farther than any MLB player for his approaching free-agent contract, starting at at least $500 million. While a team has not been finalized yet, the Phillies are clearly interested.

Shohei Ohtani in Philly Next? Fans Cry Foul Play

The Phillies are maintaining second place in an extremely competitive division while the Angels are waning at fourth in another. It’s no wonder the NL beat the AL 6-4, but the star of the show was once again Japan-based Shohei Ohtani. With the debate about his looming free agency and next landing team heating up, everyone is interested including the Phillies, whose mascot may have just tried to recruit baseball’s unicorn.

In a clip shared by Codify Baseball, the Phillie Phanatic can be seen getting off his cart and walking up to Ohtani, who stands in front of the bullpen practicing his swing. The Phanatic makes a few gestures toward the Angels player, trying to get him to come to his cart. But Sho-time just smiles and repeatedly shakes his head. The green monster eventually leaves him alone, shaking his own fuzzy head.

The announcers laugh boisterously at the display on camera but for once, the mascot’s antics didn’t please fans. In fact, many were furious at what they called tampering.

Baseball Fans Enraged at Phillie Phanatic Display

Any kind of cheating and tampering is not easily forgiven by MLB fans, who treat fair play with the utmost respect. While in all probability, the mascot was simply trying to have some fun with Ohtani, many didn’t see it that way.

READ MORE – 3 MLB Teams Emerge as Prime Candidates For Shohei Ohtani as He Stands On the Cusp of the Biggest Contract in American History

They wanted the Phanatic arrested and called foul play.

Some respected the hustle, but most were angry.

Whether or not it was true tampering, fans will remember this moment if Shohei Ohtani decides to join the Phillies next year. Where do you think he will land next? Could it be Philadelphia? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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