Of Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and Toscano
It was a bright and partly cloudy day. There was a slight breeze blowing in from center field. Spirits were high, enthusiasm was in the air and rumors were abroad about a mysterious figure lurking near the bleachers.
It crept in from right field.
No one knew exactly what he would look like because most of the images that had circulated via the web were all from the same angle. The videos that were present were from mostly blurry camera angles. Some people reported other sightings but there wasn’t any video or concrete photographic proof to validate the claim. There was one picture that popped up over the winter but until others validated the claim, the rumors were just rumors.
But IT happened and this time there were multiple witnesses.
It happened at approximately 1:05pm eastern standard time at Champion Stadium in front of 6,520 people.
Dian Toscano officially took the field in a Braves uniform.
I’ve sung the wishful praises of Toscano before. Even pushed blame on the Man, the Myth and the Legend well before he was granted full access to the states.
But now…It’s real.
HE DOES EXIST!
Dian Toscano sighting!
— Eric (@TomahawkTalk) March 11, 2016
Dian Toscano cult ST hero?
— Ryan Cothran (@baldheaded1der) March 11, 2016
The Atlanta Braves fielded a split-squad vs the Phillies while the other half of the split were going toe-to-toe with the Cardinals.
@Braves he does exist!!! Lol
— Brad DeBord (@JBradDeBord) March 11, 2016
Due to the above happening. Toscano was removed from witness protection to participate in a whiffle ball game wearing our uniform.
And on top of that, he singled in a run on his first day of work release.
There was a Dian Toscano sighting -- and a hit -- in a #Braves game Friday https://t.co/9Bchs105gu
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) March 12, 2016
It hasn’t been just me and my blustering sarcasm that has begged the neighbors for Dian to come out and play but apparently many others shared the same sentiment.
@grantmcauley OK, does this guy actually exist, unlike Dian Toscano?
— Joe Lucia (@joelucia10) February 24, 2016
Some guy wearing a Toscano jersey just recorded a RBI single. We'll try to confirm that it is indeed the mysterious figure known as Dian
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) March 11, 2016
@DOBrienAJC a year and an overcrowded outfield later he appears
— DSGB Since ‘83 (@escott1028) March 11, 2016
I was giggling most of the day and now that the rumors about his existence can stop (somewhat). He is here, he is ours until 2019 and as long he is wearing that Tomahawk on the #FrontOfTheJersey I will love him, nonetheless (maybe).
FYI: I/we are not the only ones who were confused. Baseball Reference has a profile on him but on that profile (at press-time) he was not connected to the Braves. But after browsing through the Braves Payroll he is clearly listed as a liability…Go figure.
~UnBiasedBrave