It was an absolutely gorgeous day out yesterday for the Phillies’ 3-2 win over the Marlins at Citizen’s Bank Park. But the day was marred by a somewhat ugly incident involving the Phillie Phanatic bringing his mom out to home plate and then beaning her in the face with a fastball. The 700 Level reports (complete with outstanding gif):
In what has become a tradition of sorts in Philadelphia, the Phillie Phanatic celebrated his birthday on Sunday by rounding up every mascot he could find to play a baseball game on the field at Citizens Bank Park prior to the Phils-Marlins tilt.
Not one to take it easy on anybody, the Phanatic plunked his mother, Phoebe, in the kisser.
I think this is one of the reasons the Phillie Phanatic has one of the best Q ratings among all professional sports mascots. More than any other overstuffed team avatar, the Phanatic understands that mascot-on-mascot violence sells like hotcakes. Indeed, if you told me that they were going to hold a special Beaning Night at CBP next week featuring just three hours of the Phanatic plunking his mom, I’d throw down $40 to see it in person. Big people in furry suits hurting each other NEVER gets old. EVER. And it helps teach the young ones that Philadelphia is not a town to be messed with. That’s an important lesson for kids of all ages.
So three cheers to the Phanatic for giving his mom a taste of the ol’ chin music. I wish every day were his birthday.
