What Is The Phanatic Supposed To Be

So, there I was, at my first Phillies game, all excited, hot dog in hand, when suddenly, this... thing bounds onto the field. I mean, it's big, it's furry, it's got a giant Philli Phanatic head, and it's doing the chicken dance. I turned to my buddy and asked, "What on earth is that supposed to be?"

And that, my friends, is a question that's been asked by many a confused baseball fan. The Phanatic, Philadelphia's beloved mascot, is a creature that's as much a part of the city's identity as the Liberty Bell or the Philly cheesesteak. But what exactly is it?

Phanatic 101: The Basics

Alright, let's start with the basics. The Phanatic made its debut in 1978, the same year the Phillies moved into Veterans