Lawsuit Against Phillies’ Mascot Seeks $50K Damages

What’s big, green and facing a civil suit? The Phillie Phanatic.

A Pennsylvania woman is suing the Phillies and the man behind the portly mascot over injuries she says were caused by the furry critter climbing on top of her at a minor league game in 2008.

Attorney John Speicher says Grace Crass was injured when the Phanatic climbed on top of her during a Reading Phillies game. Crass claims the bumbling bird exacerbated her arthritis, ultimately forcing her into knee replacement surgery.

Speicher acknowledges that suing the Phanatic seems “like suing Santa Claus,” but his client experience a real injury because of the mascot’s shenanigans.

The suit names the Phillies, their minor league affiliate and Tom Burgoyne, the man who plays the Phanatic. It seeks more than $50,000 in damages.

Phillies spokeswoman Bonnie Clark declined comment on the suit.