Since the late 1970s or April 25, 1978 to be exact, the Phillie Phanatic has been one of baseball’s most successful mascots. Replacing Philadelphia Phil and Philadelphia Phillis as the team’s primary supporting fans, the Phillie Phanatic has been a steady presence in Philadelphia baseball ever since that day.
At the time of his debut, the Phillie Phanatic’s only competition for stardom and a claim to fame as the furriest and most engaging baseball mascot was the San Diego Chicken, a bright yellow chicken wearing an even brighter orange outfit and parading around the stadium for the Padres.
From his 6 feet, 6 inch stature to his 300 pound weight, this mascot offers a demanding presence that few eyes can avoid. Despite his clumsy walk or perhaps because of it, the Phillie Phanatic has a loyal following of fans that never dwindles. In fact, he is named after the fanatic fans who attended the Phillies’ games back in the 1970s and the days of disco.
The brain child of Dennis Lehman of Harrison and Erikson of New York City, the Phillie Phanatic’s waist is probably the largest anyone will ever see at a full 90 inches. His belly adds to the clumsiness that his huge feet wearing size 20 shoes create. With an extra long beak that is home to an even longer curled-up tongue, this mascot can really reach out to his fans and enjoys doing so to the screaming delight of those targeted by that bright red tongue.
The Phillie Phanatic’s bright green fur makes him easily recognizable, although he has occasionally turned this color in for fire engine red. He has deep black pupils in overly large white eyeballs beneath purple eyelashes and bright blue eyebrows. The Phillie Phanatic is every much a part of Philadelphia and Philadelphia baseball as any individual player on the team.
Intro blurb: The Phillie Phanatic’s debut in the late 1970s caused a big stir. HIs type of mascot had only been seen in professional baseball once before. Nonetheless, the fans reacted wildly as Philadelphia sports fans always do.
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