Phanatic Survives Brutal Dog Attack

The Phillie Phanatic, the mascot we should love just because Tommy Lasorda hates him*, nearly suffered a fate worse than having an enormous foam head made out of him: He was nearly killed by WMMR DJ and 76ers’ PA announcer Matt Cord’s dog, Dan Gross reports.

The Phillie Phanatic was attacked Saturday morning by 93.3 WMMR DJ and Sixers’ PA announcer Matt Cord’s dog Scout. Cord was on air covering the line at the Wachovia Center box office, where tickets for The Police, playing this summer at Citizens Bank Park, went on sale.

The Phanatic came outside of the Wachovia Center to start giving stuff away, when the mutt lunged at the lovable green goofball, prompting a man in line to shout that the dog “must be a Mets fan.” The Phanatic retreated inside the Wachovia Center until Cord safely put Scout back in his car. Cord says that the dog is great with people and other dogs, and that he can’t say why she went after the Phanatic, who was not injured by the canine.

DJ’s dog pounces on the Phanatic [Daily News, 2nd item]
Feb. 28: Phillies Merchandising Dept. Ruins Popular Character

* Tommy Lasorda on the Phillie Phanatic: “One of the worst incidents was perpetrated by the Phillie Phanatic. The Dodgers were in town to play the Phillies and somehow, it got ahold of one of my jerseys. It took the jersey, put it on a dummy and ran over the dummy again and again. That type of a display should not be shown in ballparks, especially in front of children. It exhibits violence and disrespect.”