Image course credit : Temple University Libraries
In the late seventies , the Phillies ’ mascots were two 18th - century sibling named Philadelphia Phil and Philadelphia Phyllis , but the couple did small to attract families mistrustful of Veterans Stadium ’s bumpy - and - tumble image . In an effort to ascertain a more folk - well-disposed mascot , team official commissioned design business firm Harrison / Erickson , who also designed Muppets and the Montreal Expos ’ beloved Youppi ! , to craft a gentler symbol for the squad . Thus , in 1978 , six feet of green fur , curled tongue , and whirl stomach were tolerate to stand for the rabid love of Philly ’s fans without draw attention to the more beer - soak aspects of the Vet .
© Matthew O’Haren / Icon SMI / Corbis
Former team vice Chief Executive and current part owner Bill Giles write in his autobiography that he made a cardinal blunder when commissioning the design .
Given the option of buy the Phanatic costume alone for $ 3900 or the costume and its copyright for $ 5200 , Giles did n’t blast out the extra $ 1300 . This conclusion turned out to be an expensive mistake : five years afterward , Giles and a chemical group of investors bought the team and eventually purchase the right of first publication from Harrison / Erickson for $ 250,000 .
A 2002 subject area for the Cardozo Law Review called the Phillie Phanatic " the most - sued mascot in the majors . " The squad scrap that call in a 2010Philadelphia Daily Newsarticle :
Despite the sound woe , the Phanatic has become one of baseball game ’s most popular mascots . In 2005 , he joined the San Diego Chicken and the Phoenix Gorilla in the Mascot Hall of Fame ’s inaugural class .
