The Philadelphia Phillies commemorated the birthday of their cherished mascot, the Phanatic, with a festive celebration ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Chicago White Sox at Citizens Bank Park. The event drew a lively crowd of fans and mascots from various universities and professional sports teams, uniting for a friendly game of softball.
Although the Phillies maintain that the Phanatic is ageless, the beloved mascot originally made his debut in April 1978. To mark the occasion, a specially crafted birthday cake was presented, symbolizing the ballpark’s culinary delights.
Andrea Gana, the talented baker behind this year’s confection, meticulously designed the cake to reflect classic baseball game snacks, opting for oversized representations like a towering bucket of popcorn and an ice cream treat housed within a miniature baseball hat.
In addition to the Phanatic’s birthday festivities, another significant milestone was celebrated at the ballpark. Anne Foley joyously marked her 101st birthday, commemorating the occasion surrounded by four generations of her family at the stadium.
Despite the absence of a grand party, Foley relished the moment alongside thousands of fans, even receiving a special mention on PhanaVision. A lifelong Phillies enthusiast, Foley passed down her passion for the team to her son, Steve Foley, who expressed gratitude for the rare opportunity to share such an experience with his great-grandchildren.
When asked about her longevity, Foley humorously attributed it to her favorite pre-dinner ritual: “Take one day at a time and a Manhattan before dinner.”
