Some Lucky Prison Will Soon Have A Wacky Costumed Mascot

We're a bit late on this, but no matter: When the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Triple-A baseball team changed its affiliation from the Phillies to the Yankees this year, their mascot, The Grump, decided to celebrate in his own special way. Jay S. Hastings, who wears the mascot costume for the Yankees (formerly the Red Barons), was arrested on Saturday during a police Internet sting on charges that he solicited sex with a boy who actually was a police decoy. And Hastings' mode of transportation that night left no doubt that minor league baseball mascots are the wiliest of all criminals.

Hastings told police he had access to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees van because he is the Grump and attends special appearances mainly at functions involving kids.

Even in light of these troubling events, job seekers should not rush to Scranton thinking that The Grump position is open. We could easily see Carl Pavano wearing that suit by May.

Baseball Mascot Arrested In Internet Sex String [The Times Leader]