Shane Victorino screams after he gets hit in the foot by the ball during Game 3 of the National League Division Series. (Ron Cortes / Staff Photographer)

Been dying to call Shane Victorino the "Fryin' Hawaiian." And so...

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, having learned that his favorite dish is called Spam musubi, has sent him a letter alerting him to the findings of its latest investigation at a pig farm that supplies Hormel (the manufacturer of Spam).

"We suspect that the cruelty in every can of Spam will infuriate Shane more than a high Hiroki Kuroda fastball," says Dan Shannon, PETA's assistant director, in a note. "If Shane likes Spam a lot, he should buy tickets to the Broadway play but leave it off his dinner plate."

"PETA" also has been interpreted as "People Eager To Annoy." A Phillies rep said he'd ask #8 for comment after the World Series...

October 14, 2008

Shane Victorino, c/o Philadelphia Phillies

Dear Mr. Victorino:

On behalf of PETA and our thousands of members and supporters in the Philadelphia area, I'm writing in regard to the recent revelation that your favorite meal is a Spam dish. While Spam might be a popular foodstuff in your native Hawaii, before you take another cholesterol-packed bite, let me tell you about the horrific abuse of animals at the hands of Spam's pork suppliers.

PETA recently conducted an undercover investigation on a factory farm that breeds pigs who are slaughtered for Hormel, the maker of Spam. PETA documented staggering cruelty to animals, including that a supervisor shoved a cane into a sow's vagina and struck her on the back approximately 17 times. Multiple pigs were beaten with metal gate rods, and two men were witnessed jabbing clothespins into pigs' eyes and faces. A supervisor kicked a young pig in the face, abdomen, and genitals to make her move and told PETA's investigator, "You gotta beat on the bitch. Make her cry."

Virtually every factory farm that supplies pigs to Hormel confines mother pigs to metal crates that are so small that they can't turn around and cuts piglets' tails and testicles off without painkillers. In addition, a complaint is currently pending with the Food and Drug Administration regarding this particular farm's use of a cancer-causing substance on pigs who were to be killed for human consumption.

As you might know, PETA has named Citizens Bank Ballpark the Most Vegetarian Friendly Ballpark two years in a row for its astounding variety of protein-packed, delicious animal-friendly fare, including mock-chicken sandwiches, "crab-free crab cakes," Philly faux-steak sandwiches, veggie dogs, and flame-grilled Gardenburgers! We urge you to abandon the Spam, take advantage of the park's delicious veggie options, and consider joining other compassionate athletes—including John Salley, Ricky Williams, and Tony Gonzalez—in healthy and humane vegetarian eating.

Best of luck to you and the rest of the Phillies in your championship run. I can be contacted at 757-962-8253 or DanS@peta.org.

Best regards,

Dan Shannon

Assistant Director