America's Top 10 Mascots

From Mr. Met to Benny the Bull, Forbes ranks its faves
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 17, 2008 6:52 PM CST
America's Top 10 Mascots
Roger Waters, left, co-founder of Pink Floyd, is greeted by the Phillie Phanatic after throwing out the first ceremonial pitch before the start of the San Francisco Giants-Philadelphia Phillies baseball game in Philadelphia on Friday, June 1, 2007.(AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)   (Associated Press)

Mascots have danced, tumbled, and roused American sports fans for decades. Some have even gained a little prestige over the years. Forbes lists its Top 10:

  1. Phillie Phanatic. Around since '78, this green creature once scuffled with Tommy Lasorda and inspired an announcer to say that "baseball is being invaded by the Muppets."
  2. San Diego Chicken. The first modern mascot, he was fired by the Padres after (some say) he got too big for his feathers. He later sparked fans in other sports and became a mini-celeb in his own right.
  3. Mr. Met. This baseball-faced mascot has been soothing the pains of New York's "other" team for more than 40 years.

  1. Racing Sausages. These mascots race before every Brewers game; sometimes players get decked out as bratwurst too.
  2. Benny the Bull. A fiery red bull in a Chicago unie, he's been dancing and clowning for fans since the '60s.
  3. Rally Monkey. Angels fans shake stuffed monkeys to help players come from behind—once to stellar success in the 2002 World Series.
(More baseball stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X