Time passes, things change, but tradition matters.
Before the Philadelphia Phillies introduced the Philly Phanatic as their mascot in 1978, they had two mascots: Phil and Phillis.
Phil and Phillis (photo courtesy SportsMascots Wikia)
Their costumes and appearance conjured up Philadelphia’s revolutionary spirit from 1776. There were two young-looking people dressed in colonial attire. But whatever happened to Phil and Phillis?
In 1971, the Phillies opened Veterans Stadium and also presented a pair of mascots named Phil and Phillis, a brother-sister duo. Brother Phil wore long linen shirts, waistcoats, and breeches. Sister Phillis usually wore chemises, fitted short gowns, and layered petticoats.
While the duo didn’t attract much attention, another “Phil and Phillis” pair caused a sensation. The Phillies assembled a “home run spectacular,” as Bill Giles called it.
Philly Phanatic back in the day (photo, MLB)
Giles, the Special Effects Executive at the time, said, “When a Phillie hits a homer, Philadelphia Phil will appear between the boards in center field and hit a baseball. It will travel toward the message board in the right center and strike a Liberty Bell. The bell will glow, and its crack will light up. The ball will continue and hit little Philadelphia Phillis in the fanny, and she will fall down. As she falls, she will pull a lanyard on a cannon, and the cannon will explode. After smoke and sound effects, a Colonial American flag will drop down.”
In 1978, the Phillies introduced their new mascot, the Phillie Phanatic. The Phanatic was more flamboyant and entertaining than his predecessors, and Phil’s and Phillis’s days were numbered.
Phil and Phillis at Storybook Land (photo courtesy Storybook Land Facebook)
Fortunately, they were there to launch Veterans Stadium and the country’s bicentennial in 1976. But by 1979, Phil and Phillis were demoted to the storage room at Veterans Stadium, and the home run spectacular was also put into storage.
In 1980, Bill Giles held a “Spring Clearance Sale.” At the sale, fans had a chance to purchase several past giveaways, including hats, license plates, shirts, pennants, programs, posters, and Phil and Phillis. Fans had an opportunity to purchase the former mascots’ costumes and the 15-foot statues that stood in the outfield for 8 years.
The lucky people to purchase the statues were the Fricano Family. They were the proud owners of Storybook Land, a children’s amusement park in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. Phil and Phillis continue to reside in Storybook Land. Also included was a group of seats from the old Veterans Stadium wedged between them.
Tradition honored, Phil and Phillis returned to help celebrate Veterans Stadium’s final year, 2003, appearing on opening day and again at teh season home finale.
…and that’s what happened to Phil and Phillis.
