Phillie Phanatic Debuts Updated Look At Spring Training

The newly redesigned Phillie Phanatic made its debut yesterday at Phillies Spring Training in Clearwater, Fla., where the "maybe-improved birdlike mascot" was seen "flaunting his new look and bigger badonkadonk." Tom Burgoyne, who portrays the mascot, said, "He’s still the same old Phanatic, just with a little more sashay in him." This comes as the "cherished mascot is entangled in a legal battle" between the team and two N.Y. puppet artists over the rights to the character (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 2/24). It takes some "serious eye-spying to identify the subtle nips and tucks." The Phanatic "seems trimmer from certain angles" and "huskier from others." This "wasn't done for the fans," but to "appease the courts" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 2/24).