What is the Phillies' mascot? A history of Phillie Phanatic's rise as a Philadelphia sports icon

David Suggs

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What is the Phillies' mascot? A history of Phillie Phanatic's rise as a Philadelphia sports icon image

Who doesn't love home cooking?

The Phillies won nearly 60 percent of their games in the friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park in the regular season. They have since kept the good times rolling in the postseason, winning each of their five home playoff games en route to yet another World Series appearance.

It has been exciting times in the City of Brotherly Love. And nothing encapsulates that excitement more than a certain furry-faced folk hero of sorts in the city: Phillie Phanatic.

The neon-green-tinted mascot has become a part of the city's furniture over the years, popping up all along the stadium concourse to help bring the atmosphere to life.

And they played a central role in the post-game celebrations following Philadelphia's Game 5 win over San Diego, making the trek to the pitcher's mound before waving a cherry-red flag emblazoned with the words "National League Champions" on it.

MORE: What to know about Phillies vs. Astros in 2022 World Series

With that, here's what you need to know about the Phillies' mascot, one of the most-popular figures in the whole city.

Phanatic belly

What is the Phillies' mascot?

At first glance, it's difficult to quite get a feel for what Phillie Phanatic is supposed to be.

Just look at them:

However, per Phanatic creator Bonnie Erickson, Phillie Phanatic is... well, a "purely fantasy animal."

They're unlike any other mascot in the game. With a menacing snout, a grass-like mane and a bright blue tail, Phillie Phanatic is certainly a feast for sore eyes.

"I think I wanted to make a shape that was going to have its own sort of character," Erickson told WBUR's Noam Osband in 2019. "So that if you put a performer or a human being in it, it was going to be funny just because of the way it moved."

Phillie Phanatic was first unveiled to the public on April 25, 1978. It was a fairly unassuming debut, namely because no one announced that the Phils were introducing a new mascot beforehand.

But it was a successful one, full of laughs and cheers. And that set the stage for a burgeoning passion for the woolly behemoth, one that still shines through some 44 years later.

Phanatic tail

Phillies mascot history

Prior to Erickson's creation, the Phillies opted for mascots that were tied to the city's history. Known as Philadelphia Phil and Phillis, the two mascots resembled colonial-era dolls. Dressed to the nines in 18th-century garb, Phil and Phillis didn't quite bring the attention of some for the league's other mascots. So, then-owner Bill Giles made a change, enlisting famed Muppets creator Jim Henson to design a mascot.

Henson declined. He did, however, point the Phillies to Erickson. The rest, as they say, is history.

Phillies mascot name, colors

Phillie Phanatic's name appears to stem from a popular slogan the team used during the 1970s, according to Erickson: "Philly, be a Phillie Phanatic."

Their color palette and wardrobe selection is far more out there, in comparison. Their viridescent pelt is accented by a blueish tail and eyebrows. Their eyelashes appear to be some sort of shade of purple or lavender. And their footwear selection is ever-changing; sometimes they opt for ruby-red kicks, other times they go for olive-and-white ones.

Either way, Phillie Phanatic tends to wear the same thing up top: a white, oversized Phillies jersey with the name "Phanatic" stitched on the back. The jersey also features a five-pointed star, Phillie Phanatic's favorite shape.

Despite their interesting array of clothing items, even Phillie Phanatic reveals their primal tendencies on occasion:

MORE: How many World Series have the Phillies won?

Where is Phillie Phanatic from?

Per Erickson, Phillie Phanatic hails from the Galápagos Islands. Erickson came up with the backstory, feeling it was the perfect way to embody just how unusual she wanted Philly's mascot to be.

"He evolved in the Galapagos and became this enormous baseball fan," Erickson said. "Because, we figured, who could contest that? This seemed to be the perfect background for a character that nobody could describe. It's a purely fantasy animal."

Charles Darwin would be proud.

Phillie Phanatic lawsuit

Despite Phillie Phanatic's popularity, things haven't always been too rosy for the mascot — nor their original creator.

In 2018, Erickson and co-creator Wayde Harrison informed the franchise of its intention to seek rights for the mascot unless the Phillies paid them millions. The organization filed a counter-suit in 2019, arguing that Phanatic's explosion into a Philadelphia sports icon was prompted by their investment rather than the co-creators' creativity.

In the midst of the legal action, the Phillies presented a reworked Phillie Phanatic in 2020. There were a number of slight differences between the OG version of the mascot and the one used during the 2021 season.

However, the case was officially settled in November 2021, with the organization paying an unknown sum to Erickson and Harrison. That opened the door for the Phillies to use Erickson and Harrison's original design for the 2022 season.

old Phillie Phanatic

Phillie Phanatic old vs. new

Phillie Phanatic has undergone a few changes since their inception. For 42 years, the Phillies stuck to Erickson and Harrison's original design.

However, in the midst of the pair's lawsuit, the organization made a few alterations to the Phanatic. Their fur was lightened. Their eyes were placed on pink stars rather than red. Their socks and sneakers, usually red and green, respectively, were switched.

The changes seemed minor. But Philly fans noticed. And the organization was roundly criticized for its move, with Erickson and Harrison labeling the decision an “affront … to Phillies fans everywhere.”

Old...

...vs. new...

Who portrays the Phillie Phanatic?

The first person to rock the green-and-white costume was Dave Raymond, who donned the iconic outfit for 15 years.

Since 1994, though, Phillie Phanatic has been played by Tom Burgoyne. Burgoyne initially featured as a backup for Raymond before taking the main role after Raymond stepped away.

Burgoyne and three backups attend an average of about 800 events per year, according to Northeast Meetings and Events magazine.

Burgoyne was even able to commodify the Phanatic experience, starting a leadership workshop designed to build camaraderie and excitement within corporate setting across the area.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.