After 27 years, the Philadelphia Phillies have ended a famous deal that many fans believe saved them money.
Many people were angry when the announcement was made to replace “Dollar Dog Night.” One admirer even created a petition to bring back the hot dog tradition.
While “Dollar Dog Night” may be a thing of the past, the stadium announced a BOGO promotion in which you can buy one hotdog for $5 and get one free.
The change follows a “Dollar Dog Night” in 2023 that evolved into a big food brawl. People were hurling hot dogs from the upper decks, and several spectators were ejected from the game for it.
Following the controversial announcement Thursday, lifelong Phillies fan Christian McGovern launched a Change.org petition in the hopes that the popular hot dog offer would be resurrected.
By Friday morning, about 4,200 individuals had already signed it.
McGovern contends that the custom was not only inexpensive, but also a symbol of communal pride.
“It is a tradition. I love it. “I look forward to Dollar Dog Night all year,” McGovern stated. “When the schedule comes out the first Tuesday in April, I know it’s Dollar Dog Night and we see who they’re playing and we buy tickets right away.”
He was there that night during the famed food battle, and his mind hasn’t changed.
“If they enforce the buy one get one, I will be outside of the stadium in a hot dog suit with a sign protesting for dollar dogs,” McGovern was quoted as saying.
According to the Phillies organization, the food fight caused a large mess to clean up, and fans who took a survey did not enjoy the night in part because of long lineups, as people returned repeatedly for several hotdogs.
Despite the obstacles, enthusiasts who talked with Action News claimed Dollar Dog Days, which began in 1997, was the season’s highlight.
“It was an amazing tradition, and I’m very sad about it,” said Ella Strauss, of South Philadelphia. “Last year, it was impossible to acquire a hotdog. I went in line, got four hotdogs, and was never able to get another one.”
“They’re pricey, and they don’t have very many days of dollar dogs. Why get rid of them? “People enjoy it,” said Tammy Cappetti, who is also from South Philadelphia. “I know it did get rowdy, so there’s reasons on both sides but I wish they would just keep it.”
The Phillies said they’ll create more locations to reduce queues and aim to increase security since food fights cannot happen.
This season’s Hatfield Phillies Franks BOGO Nights will be on Tuesday, April 2 against the Cincinnati Reds and Tuesday, April 16 against the Colorado Rockies. Both games start at 6:40 p.m.
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