While it’s usually the athletes that are in the news, the Philadelphia Phillies mascot “The Phillie Phanatic” has had a difficult time avoiding the limelight recently. In 2004, the Phanatic’s head was stolen (and promptly returned). Then, in 2010, the mascot was sued by an elderly woman for allegedly injuring her.
And on Wednesday, the Phillie Phanatic was making headlines again.
The Phanatic traveled to Lehigh Valley Wednesday to make an appearance at the ballpark of Philadelphia’s Triple-A affiliate, the Iron Pigs. In the top of the third inning, while performing atop the first-base dugout, the Phanatic was nailed by a bouncing foul ball. While the ball hit the Phanatic in the neck, it hit Tom Burgoyne, the person in the costume, squarely in the face.
Burgoyne, 45, was released from an emergency room Wednesday night and was able to drive himself home. He has a bruised eye and the effects of a minor concussion, but claims he’ll avoid the disabled list and make his regular appearance as the Phillie Phanatic this weekend against the A’s.
To see the bad bounce, check out the video below.
