The Phillie Phanatic is the top mascot in sports, according to people who make rankings of such things.
Here's the top 10:
1. Phillie Phanatic
2. San Diego Chicken (San Diego Padres)
3. Mr. Met (New York Mets)
4. Racing Sausages (Milwaukee Brewers)
5. Benny the Bull (Chicago Bulls)
6. Rally Monkey (Los Angeles Angels)
7. Sourdough Sam (San Francisco 49ers)
8. Rowdy (Dallas Cowboys)
9. Rally (Atlanta Braves)
10. Miles (Denver Broncos)
OK, a few problems with this list. First, Mr. Met is terrible. He has a baseball for a head. Cool! He might be recognizable, but only because he's in New York. Second, I've been covering the Phillies for five years. That means I've been to Atlanta about 15 times and covered about 45 games at Turner Field. I swear to God I have never seen Rally until today, and he was darn near impossible to find on Google. Third, the Racing Sausages should be higher. And I don't just say that because I'm from Milwaukee. OK, I do.
Comments (43)
SUCK ON IT MR. MET.
Posted by Cheese | January 15, 2008 12:51 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 12:51
what cheese said.
Posted by Tim | January 15, 2008 1:06 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 13:06
Rally really is a crappy mascot. Who the hell has even seen him? The Padres' chicken sucks too.
Posted by Dan | January 15, 2008 1:09 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 13:09
I'm not sure, but I think Rally has been long retired by the Braves. I seem to recall Skip Caray, back in the '80s when he was actually kind of funny and not so arrogant about the Braves' place in the game, used to say of the permanently grinning mascot: "What the hell are you smiling about? We're down 12 runs!" Or maybe that was Homer the Brave, a mascot that surely was offensive to more than a few native Americans.
Posted by jeff carlton | January 15, 2008 1:09 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 13:09
Ditto, Cheese and Tim.
Cheese is a man of few words but summed it up nicely.
And the Racing Sausages are much better than even the Chicken and I'm not from Milwaukee.
Posted by jimmymack | January 15, 2008 1:44 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 13:44
Oh yeah. The sausages are awesome. Their local commercials are hilarious.
Of course, even collectively, they have nothing on the Phanatic. Anybody mascot that could get such a rise out of Tommy Lasorda...
Posted by Tom in Brewtown | January 15, 2008 2:00 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 14:00
Man, I check the Forbes sports page every day and I must have missed this one. The Sausages are cool, but the Phanatic is in a class by himself. Mr. Met sucks and what the heck are Rally and Sourdough Sam??
Posted by Steve | January 15, 2008 2:14 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 14:14
Do the Phoenix Suns still have the gorilla? If so, then he should make the list.
And What?? no Hip-Hop???! (I kid).
Posted by Anonymous | January 15, 2008 3:07 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 15:07
wow...it took me a few minutes to realize that it's G.W. in that picture with the Phanatic.
And thanks for stating that Mr Met sucks. How lazy are you to just put a baseball on top of a body and call it a mascot...leave it to New York.
Posted by skeeter | January 15, 2008 3:49 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 15:49
Forget the MVP 6 pack season tickets, lets start the #1 mascot 6 pack season tickets.
Someone in marketing get on this!
Posted by Harry | January 15, 2008 4:24 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 16:24
Dude, the Phanatic is by far the most noticable and most popular of all sports mascots.
The Phanatic and the Pirates' Pirate had a battle on my blog in '06: http://pabaseball.blogspot.com/2006/12/this-could-get-ugly.html
Posted by GM-Carson | January 15, 2008 4:36 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 16:36
Zo,
At least you admit that you're a Milwaukee homer. All I know is that I can't believe the Hell's Elk mascot didn't make the list.
Posted by shelman | January 15, 2008 5:09 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 17:09
Don Cardwell died yesterday...he wasn't a great pitcher, but he gave me an autograph in April of the '60 season. I remember him because he was very nice, asked if I played, my position, who my favorite player was and seemed genuinely interested in a 10 year old who had his baseball card. I was heartbroken when he was traded a few weeks later and pitched a no-hitter for the Cubs, no doubt starting my lack of faith in the Phillies front office.
Just wanted to mention the passing of a nice guy.
Posted by jimmymack | January 15, 2008 5:17 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 17:17
Remember the Crazy Crab? He was no Phanatic, but he takes 2nd in my book. I remember listeing to Kalas on the radio, sometime in the 80's..."look everyone, it's the crazy crab..." priceless.
i think the rally monkey deserves more love as well.
Posted by Philthies | January 15, 2008 6:03 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 18:03
How about the Pittsburgh Pierogies?
Posted by Jack Reilly | January 15, 2008 7:01 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 19:01
How about Billy the Marlin? The Swinging Friar? The Mariner Moose? The Suns Gorilla? or even Youppi?
Posted by Brian | January 15, 2008 11:21 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 23:21
Zo, I hope spring training starts soon. Thanks for keeping the blog going for the Phillies faithful. I know how hard it must get this time of year to put up meaningful stuff. Thanks for the effort.
Go, Phils!
Posted by jrquixote | January 16, 2008 5:30 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 05:30
from the Cardinals to the Blue Jays. It proves that the player who called Rolen a cancer in the clubhouse knew he was for the birds! Philly Fan
Posted by bill gargaro | January 16, 2008 7:32 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 07:32
Rally isn't even on the Braves Wikipedia page. I watch about 140 games a year and I've never seen him before.
Posted by TampaxJackson | January 16, 2008 7:35 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 07:35
The Phanatic is like the Simpson's or some other TV cartoon, that the kids like, but only get half of what is going on. His impersonations of batting stances or plate appearance of players during the annoucing of the starting lineups on both teams is hysterical.
I have repeatedly seen him entertain a crowd with virtually no props. I once remember, back in the 80's a rainout caused a makeup double header to be play THE NEXT DAY. There was no time to schedule any type of entertainment for the 30 or 40 minutes between games. The phanatic literally had the crowd roaring with nothing more than a baseball. We've all seen the routine, but it never grows old. He offer to throw it into the stands, then race to the other end of the stadium and do the same thing, pitting one side against the other to see who would be the loudest. He mixed a few other things in and before you know it the managers were at home plate for the 2nd game.
His attitude is so Philly. He is one sarcastic dude.
Posted by Bob | January 16, 2008 8:05 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 08:05
By the way...didn't "The Chicken" either drop "San Diego" or was forced to drop it from him name like 20 years ago?
It might be more like 25 years at this point. It was only a few years after it's inception.
Posted by Bob | January 16, 2008 8:09 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 08:09
From Wikipedia:
The official mascot of the San Diego Padres is not the Famous Chicken but the Swinging Friar. The Famous Chicken does make occasional appearances at Padres games.
Posted by Anonymous | January 16, 2008 8:20 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 08:20
Remember when Lasorda tried to beat-up the Phanatic. Better yet, remember when Lasorda was an honorary 3rd base coach in the all star game and he took that line drive in the gut and he toppled over ass in the air. God, that was entertainment. The reaction of the players was priceless. When Tommy was on his back ass in the air he must have been wondering what the hell a man his age was doing on the field.
Posted by johnny p | January 16, 2008 9:19 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 09:19
It was either Roger Angell or Roger Kahn who referred to Mr Met as "The Metropolitans roving Macrocephalic"
Posted by Mark | January 16, 2008 9:36 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 09:36
I hope Conan has Mr. Met committing suicide again over the voting, that was hilarious. Long live the Phanatic. Still makes me laugh at every game. I love when the opposing players are warming up, and he gets them to finally throw him the ball, then he steps out of the way and drives off.
Posted by Bryan | January 16, 2008 9:52 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 09:52
They don't have a long legacy, but the racing Presidents in DC are cooler than most of the top 10.
As a transplant to Philly from Boston, I am pre-programmed to hate mascots, especially the Phanatic. But I must confess: He is the best.
(Nothing like seeing a mascot through the eyes of your kids to mellow your opinions.)
Bought my tix to two games in Clearwater yesterday. Spring is a'comin.
Posted by Joe in Haddonfield | January 16, 2008 9:54 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 09:54
I agree about the Braves. I have never heard of him, and I worked the Braves games at my local radio station for many a year when I lived in southwest Ga. I have been to games at Turner and never seen him.
I also have never heard of the mascot for the Cowboys. I mean, they have one??
Posted by Deb | January 16, 2008 10:45 AM
Posted on January 16, 2008 10:45
My wife only watches Phillies games with me sometimes because she gets to see the Phanatic. We live in NY and I have to tell you, Mr. Met is way down on the totum poll. The Phanatic is so great not just because of his routine but because no one even knows what the heck he is! What is he, a hairy pear? Who knows! Every other mascot is a person or animal....
Posted by BB | January 16, 2008 12:18 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 12:18
the sausages should be higher. they are hysterical. but, the phanatic should be number 1.
The Saint Joseph's Hawk is still the best college mascot. He flaps his wings throughout the game, has a full scholarship, and NEVER DIES!
Posted by pc | January 16, 2008 12:31 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 12:31
If you don't love the Phanatic, then you ain't Philadelphian.
Posted by Anonymous | January 16, 2008 1:13 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 13:13
I agree. The Phanatic is the best mascot in sports.
In other news (from ESPN)...Agent Scott Boras has been unable to secure a contract for right-hander Kyle Lohse and may be willing to back off his demand for a four-year deal, the Wilmington News Journal reports.
The Phillies remain a possibility. Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said they continue to talk with Boras. It's believed the team is willing to make a three-year offer to Lohse, who went 3-0 with a 4.72 ERA in 13 games (11 starts) for Philadelphia last season after being acquired at the trade deadline from Cincinnati.
Posted by Ryan | January 16, 2008 1:43 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 13:43
If you have never seen the Mr. Met/Phanatic videos that were on the Conan O'Brien Show back in September, go to You Tube and look them up. Any Phillies fan will rejoice!
Posted by Al | January 16, 2008 1:53 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 13:53
Another thing. The Racing Sausages aren't even the Brewers official mascots...that's Bernie Brewer. And hasn't the San Diego Chicken been "The famous Chicken" for some time now?
Posted by Brian | January 16, 2008 1:53 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 13:53
I think the cowboys mascot is just a guy dressed up like a cowboy. Usually he and the Redskins mascot(dressed up like an indian) fight it out like true cowboys and indians!
Posted by clinton, nj | January 16, 2008 5:15 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 17:15
I'd be more into the Phanatic if he/she was a legitimate No. 3 starter for us this year.
Posted by Eman | January 16, 2008 9:25 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 21:25
The Inguirer said that Phanatic "edged out" the Chicken. EDGED OUT!? I want to see the numbers! LOL!
I've never even heard of the bottom 5 on the list.
I was also wondering about Billy the Marlin.
OK. Here's MY Phanatic story......
I had the opportunity to be in the Phillies Club House one day last season. When I was leaving, the Phanatic was in the hallway. Of course, being a Philly girl, I yelled: "Yo Phanatic!". I was the only woman around, so the Big Green Guy does his usual grabbing of his heart. Then....He takes me in his arms and starts a little waltz. All the while HUMMING a tune! It was totally freaking me out! I didn't know the Phanatic could sing! LOL!
Posted by Norma | January 16, 2008 10:14 PM
Posted on January 16, 2008 22:14
Anybody read Pat Burrells online chat discussion on the Phils website? He says he would love to stay in Philly, now I wonder if he really means that or not. I think I would like to see him come back, because his numbers would be hard to find out on the open market at a reasonable price. He is slowwwww as a turtle, but for the most part, his time in Philly has ben pretty good and productive. Of course if we could get a Matt Holiday type player... move over(and out) Pat Burrell.
Posted by clinton, nj | January 17, 2008 12:26 AM
Posted on January 17, 2008 00:26
What about the old Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Grump?
Posted by Art | January 17, 2008 10:18 AM
Posted on January 17, 2008 10:18
What about the old Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Grump?
Posted by Art | January 17, 2008 10:18 AM
Posted on January 17, 2008 10:18
A little off-topic, but.....
I think Burrell was sincere in wanting to stay in Philly. He's said it all along. EVEN over the last 2 1/2 years when he was the favorite target for Philly "boo-birds". If he wants to stay in Philly after putting up with all that, he's my kind of guy!
Posted by Norma | January 18, 2008 9:50 AM
Posted on January 18, 2008 09:50
I experienced the Phanatic doing a gig at a senior citizens home. He was really great with both the old folk and the young cheerleading squad that was also there to entertain. As I was leaving, I encountered the Phanatic in the hallway...He gave me a big hug and kiss with that cute green snout of his. I know people from other baseball cities that think the Phanatic is awesome!
Posted by Patch57 | January 18, 2008 12:11 PM
Posted on January 18, 2008 12:11
"I think Burrell was sincere in wanting to stay in Philly. He's said it all along. EVEN over the last 2 1/2 years when he was the favorite target for Philly "boo-birds". If he wants to stay in Philly after putting up with all that, he's my kind of guy!"
Hey, Chase is yours, Pat is MY guy!
I would be very happy to see Pat and Chase both finish their baseball careers with the Phillies!
Posted by Patch57 | January 18, 2008 12:12 PM
Posted on January 18, 2008 12:12
Hey guys. I was actually Rally for the Braves from 1998 to 2003. He was the Braves first mascot after “Chief Noc-a-homa”. Later, Homer was added…the baseball headed mascot, very similar to Mr. Met.
Rally was the official mascot for the Braves until 2005 when the Braves sent him off in to mascot retirement (along with all the cartoon network characters that use to appear at games). Homer is the only mascot for the Braves now.
I am suprised he is on this list since he has not worked in two years!
Posted by Mervis | January 22, 2008 9:08 AM
Posted on January 22, 2008 09:08