I think people -- people, not hardcore baseball fans -- associate the Phanatic with the Phillies more than Ryan Howard or Chase Utley or even Mike Schmidt. That became apparent a couple minutes ago when the mascots from the American League and National League were announced before tonight's Home Run Derby at AT&T Park.
Every mascot received polite applause.
But the loudest applause -- other than the Giants' mascot -- was for the Phillie Phanatic. And it wasn't even close. I'm no mascot expert, but the Phanatic is the best mascot in baseball. The Phanatic is actually, you know, funny. The Phanatic was the only mascot to give two thumbs down to the AL mascots. He shook his head when the Pirate Parrot was introduced. He's got the best moves. And his best bit is when he streaks across the field at Citizens Bank Park.
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The Counting Crows are playing live before the derby. They opened with Mr. Jones. They followed with Accidentally in Love. They're going to be running out of hits soon, so this better be a short set. I mean, do we really want to hear deep cuts from the Crows?
I kid, I kid.
Comments (6)
The Phanatic is the best mascot in all sports. He's the reason I remained a Phillies fan in the late 1990s.
Wait a minute - the mascots go to the All-Star game? Considering how dreadfully long the Derby is and how boring the All-Star game is, that's likely the best part of the two-day shindig. Do they play a game? Perhaps an exhibition between the mascots can determine home field advantage for the World Series?
Posted by Chris Duckworth | July 9, 2007 8:34 PM
Posted on July 9, 2007 20:34
I love, love, love the Phanatic. By far the funniest furry thing in sports.
My homeboy took his son to FanFest a couple of days ago and went to some area where you can toss a few pitches and see how fast you're throwing or if anyone hits a homer off you. He tossed to the Phanatic. I believe the Phanatic was the only non-human there. Sweet.
Posted by sacratomato | July 10, 2007 12:03 AM
Posted on July 10, 2007 00:03
I'm just a week or two shy of 34, and for some reason, I still can't help but smile when I watch the Phanatic, even though he has been doing the same schtick for 34 years. It sounds odd to say about a big green furball, but he's an icon.
Posted by Tom G | July 10, 2007 9:35 AM
Posted on July 10, 2007 09:35
Love the Phanatic too...he has become a part of Phillies baseball. Can't imagine them without him or Harry (and that's strong vote of confidence for me!!!).
Posted by Bill | July 10, 2007 9:39 AM
Posted on July 10, 2007 09:39
there was a link on deadspin to some blog that is spoofing that espn "who's now!" thing. they were doing "who's not" brackets, and the criteria was sports figures who noone cares about anymore. the phanatic was an 8-seed- that's blasphemy!
Posted by mike | July 10, 2007 10:49 AM
Posted on July 10, 2007 10:49
Honestly, I was thinking the same thing with the Counting Crows - why are they at the home run derby and what does 'Accidentally in Love' have to do with baseball?
Dollar bills exchanged hands somewhere along the way.
Posted by Chris | July 10, 2007 5:26 PM
Posted on July 10, 2007 17:26