The Phillies can get creative when the original Phillie Phanatic returns in 2022.
Perhaps the biggest move of the Philadelphia Phillies offseason will not involve any actual coaching staff or player acquisitions, but rather, the return of the original and beloved Phillie Phanatic mascot.
The Phillies debuted a revised Phanatic in February 2020 that featured scales, lighter green fur, and stars around his eyes, among other changes. This was in response to Phanatic creators Bonnie Erickson and Wayde Harrison’s license to allow the Phillies to continue using the Phanatic expired. About 21 months later, all sides have come to an agreement that will keep the original Phanatic with the organization for years to come.
Executive Vice President David Buck said in a recent statement that the Phillies welcome back the original Phanatic “with open arms,” adding that they are proud of the mascot’s 44-year history and what he means to the organization, the city, and Phillies fans everywhere:
"“Our goal throughout this process was to come to an amicable solution that guaranteed the Phanatic could continue to entertain future generations of fans,” Buck added."
Erickson and Harrison added in a statement:
"“Ever since we created the Phanatic in 1978, Philadelphia has been his home. We are thrilled to see the original Phanatic back where he should be, in Philadelphia, for the fans of the Phillies.”"
The Phillies social media team had fun with news of the original Phanatic’s return. One of their posts overplayed a video of the Phanatic onto the popular “Bar Goes Wild” meme. The team also shared a statement on behalf of the mascot from his “personal attorney and business manager,” Iggy the Iguana from the Galapagos Gang — “I’m back.”
https://twitter.com/Phillies/status/1460745999295688704
Given the Phillies’ social media fun, one would think the team will have some sort of “welcome back” celebration when the team plays its first Grapefruit League spring training game at BayCare Ballpark next year — slated for Sunday, February 27 — and/or the April 8 home opener at Citizens Bank Park.
Here are a few storyline options they could run with to explain the original Phanatic’s nearly two-year absence.