One of the big questions surrounding the Winston-Salem Warthogs' final season is what will happen to Wally the Warthog, the lovable mascot and a hit with local children since 1995.
The team will have a new nickname and a new ballpark next season, and Wally will be without a team. General Manager Ryan Manual said he has been asked often about the mascot's fate.
"I've been out away from the ballpark at the mall or someplace, and kids will come up to me and ask. ‘What are you going to do with Wally?'" Manual said. "They want to make sure Wally's going to be OK."
One reason Wally is such a hit is his reading program. He visits local schools, about 60 in all, throughout the year and also has a summer program.
There are no special plans for Wally at tonight's game.
There will be special guests at tonight's final regular-season game at Ernie Shore, including: Bill Slack, a former manager whose retired number is on the left-field wall; Bubba Smith, a former player; and Cart Howerton, who was a general manager in the 1960s.
The first 5,000 fans will get a special commemorative baseball and will be allowed on the field after the game, to throw a pitch or play catch in the outfield.
Manual said that 4,000 tickets have been sold and that he expects brisk walk-up sales because it will be Thirsty Thursday. All tickets will cost $5.
As for Wally, Manuel said that he most likely will be returned to the zoo.
"Yeah, that's probably the best thing to do," he said.
■ John Dell can be reached at 727-4081 or at jdell@wsjournal.com.
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