13 Things You Never Knew About Mascots

Suit up and learn some big news about these big heads.

Suit up and learn some big news about these big heads. 

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty)

The Phillie Phanatic turns 35 this week. First introduced in 1977 as a way to attract more families to Veterans Stadium, the furry green talisman of the Philadelphia Phillies was designed for a cost of $5,200 and has since become the most iconic—and most litigated against—mascot in sports. Anyone this hated by Tommy Lasorda must be doing something right.

In celebration of the Phanatic finally being age-eligible to run for president, here are 13 things you never knew about sports mascots.

1. The NHL’s first mascot was the Flames’ Harvey the Hound, who debuted in 1983.

The Calgary mascot rose to international fame when Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish ripped his tongue out during a 2003 game.

Check out the rest of the list via our friends at Extra Mustard!