Phillies: 5 Unexpected-but-deserving Wall of Fame candidates

3. Tom Burgoyne AKA the Phillie Phanatic

Another key member of the fan experience at Citizens Bank Park is no other than the most beloved mascot in professional sports, the Phillie Phanatic.

With the official title as Phillie Phanatic Entertainment Representative in the team’s marketing department, Tom Burgoyne has brought the mascot to life ever since the 1994 season — replacing the David Raymond, who portrayed him from 1978 to 1993.

All of the laughs and entertainment you have received from the Phanatic across the past nearly 30 seasons — whether you are watching the game in-person or at home — it’s all thanks to Burgoyne. The dugout dances, skits such as smashing opposing team’s helmets, ATV shenanigans, you name it.

Unofficially known as his “best friend,” there would be no Phanatic the way we know and love him without Burgoyne. That is why he should be on the Wall of Fame.

4. Ed Wade

Without former Phillies general manager Ed Wade, there would not be the core of young players that came together and won the franchise’s second-ever World Series championship.

Wade took over Lee Thomas’ Phillies general manager duties in 1998 but was let go after the 2005 season. And while Pat Gillick may have been at the helm of the front office in 2008, it was Wade – often overlooked – who drafted and essentially assembled many of the key pieces of that team, including World Series MVP Cole Hamels.

The Phillies never made the postseason under Wade, but without him, there still might be only one red flag waving in Ashburn Alley as we speak.