3 fun ways Philadelphia Phillies can reintroduce original Phanatic mascot

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.

1. The 2020-21 Phanatic was really Phred — the original Phanatic’s cousin.

This first scenario is courtesy of Twitter user @Phixated, and it all involves the Phanatic’s rarely seen cousin — Phred — or has he been at Phillies games all along the past two seasons after all?

Phred debuted as a baby on April 30, 2000, a surprise to the Phanatic during his annual birthday celebration before the Phillies took on the St. Louis Cardinals at Veterans Stadium (the game would be an eventual 4-3 loss, despite ace Curt Schilling tossing six innings of four-run baseball with eight strikeouts).

Former Phillies closer Mitch Williams and first baseman John Kruk wheeled out a large, bright blue box. Phred jumped out when the Phanatic opened it. The team said Phred was “permanently moved” from the Galapagos Islands to live with his older cousin at the Vet.

The Phillies went on to describe Phred as a “Phanatic-in-training.” He even received his own sidecar that attaches to the Phanatic’s ATV, so they could cruise around the field together. The Phanatic also taught Phred how to shoot hot dogs to fans, dance on the dugout, tease visiting players, and create smiles on the “faces of the Phillie faithful.”

Looking ahead to 2022, the Phillies could say that the Phanatic from the 2020-21 seasons was really Phred — who became unrecognizable since his debut more than 20 years ago and posed as his older cousin.

“Phred grew up and somehow detained ‘old Phanatic’ two years ago and posed as Phanatic since,” @Phixated suggests. “But now the ‘real Phanatic’ is back, wipes out ‘new Phanatic’/Phred on Opening Day, and reclaims his rightful place.”

3. The Phanatic took a hiatus to search for his long-lost father.

Every Mother’s Day, we typically see the Phillie Phanatic alongside his mom, Phoebe Phanatic. Yet, every year when Father’s Day arrives, there is no sign of the Phanatic’s dad. Where is he?

Spending and cherishing quality time with family has been one of the most important things to do during the pandemic, and the Phanatic finally was determined to find his dad.

He intended to step away from the team during spring training, hence why the revised Phanatic was revealed. This Phanatic was actually another stunt double from his movie days … but the early intention was only for the Phanatic to miss Grapefruit League action and would be home in time for Opening Day.

Booking a flight to the Galapagos Islands, the Phanatic soon realized that he would not be able to fly home due to travel restrictions. To make matters worst, he misplaced his passport, and had to overcome even more woes. He eventually returned to the U.S. and back home to Citizens Bank Park, but he had to spend extra time quarantining before he was allowed to work again.

By this time, the 2021 season was nearly complete, so the Phanatic ultimately decided to just wait until the 2022 season to come back. Whether the Phanatic found his father or not remains to be seen.

These are just three of the many scenarios the Phillies can run with when the original Phanatic makes his long-awaited return. Let us know which storyline was your favorite, and/or if you have another fun idea in mind.