A Phantical Interview With The Phanatic

MascotInsider is proud to present a Phantical Interview with MLB top mascot The Phanatic! Let’s begin below..

1. What do you do to get the fans excited during the game?
Of course, I’m doing everything I can to get the fans excited. Rhythmic
clapping, trying to see which section cheers louder and dancing with
players, coaches and umpires usually does the trick. When all else fails,
rolling my belly around in circles never fails!

2. You versus Tommy Lasorda. Who wins?
Even though Tommy has a hundred or so pounds on me, I can still take him.

3. What’s it like to be in the Mascot Hall of Fame?
It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the all-time professional idiots
of all time. My Mom, Phoebe, is so proud.

3. What’s it like to be enshrined in Cooperstown?
I was at the Baseball Hall of Fame recently and was taken aback when I saw
the life-sized replica of me in the glass case. It was like looking in a
mirror. What makes it so special is that they have me displayed in the
same room where an exhibit of Max Patkin is displayed. The Clown Prince
of Baseball is my hero and was the model for the modern day mascot.

4. You have been around since 1978. What are some of your favorite memories?
It seems like a favorite memory is created every day I’m out there either
at the game or somewhere out at an appearance. Certainly, the two
championship parades down Broad Street have to be at the top of the list.
Our final game at the Vet was a day I’ll always remember. I walked around
the entire stadium that day and to see the emotion from the fans who loved
the Vet was amazing. I dressed in a tuxedo and danced to Donna Summer’s
Last Dance on the dugout at the end of the game. A bunch of fans jumped
up on the dugout to join me – it was awesome.

5. Your ATV stalled out before the game against the Washington Nationals
on June 17. Could Jayson Werth be behind what happened?
The gears got stuck and I couldn’t get it into neutral. Jayson was trying
actually trying to help out. This mascotting thing is a funny business.
At a real job, if you screw up, you get fired. With this job, if you
screw up, people laugh and you end up on ESPN at the end of the night.

6. How well do you interact with other mascots?
My favorite time of the year is the All Star Game. The MLB mascots have
been attending the All Star Game since Philadelphia hosted the game in
1996. We have a great time together although the smell emanating from our
dressing room could knock over an adult elephant.

7. How do you deal with a crowd that lacked energy?
If a crowd lacks energy, I go out between innings and smash a Mets helmet.
Works every time.

8. How do you deal with the times that YOU lacked energy?
If I lack energy, I go out between innings and smash a Mets helmet. Works
every time.

9. What do you do during the off-season?
I like going out and being with the people. Weddings, bar mitzvahs,
schools, hospitals, malls, ribbon-cutting events, rodeos, basket weaving
contests, funerals, you name it and I’ll be there.

10. Who was or is your favorite player to interact with. (Phillies and
opposing player)
Favorite opposing player – Joe Carter. Yeah, I should hate his guts for
beating us with that HR in 1993, but we had some battles back in the day
that the crowd loved. Chucky Carr was another guy who used to mix it up
with me. He would try to pie me before the game and he’d bring his own
Super Soaker and start water fights.
Favorite Phillie – ALL OF THEM!

A BIG Thanks to The Phanatic for taking to the time to do an interview with us at MascotInsider. For more information about The Phanatic click here to visit his home page!