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Ivory CoastPhillies Icon Bill Giles, Creator of the Phanatic, Dies at 92
Bill Giles, the longtime Phillies executive and owner who helped sign Pete Rose and create the Phillie Phanatic, has died at the age of 92.
A Lifetime in Baseball
Bill Giles, a key figure in the history of the Philadelphia Phillies, died on Friday at his home in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. He was 92 years old.
Giles spent over half a century with the franchise, moving from a business executive to owner and CEO. The Phillies honored him with a moment of silence before their game against Tampa Bay on Friday.
His father, Warren Giles, was a former National League president. Bill Giles followed in those baseball footsteps, starting his career as a teenager with the Cincinnati Reds. He also worked in Houston before joining Philadelphia in 1969.
Building Winners on the Field
Giles started as the vice president of business operations and became executive vice president three years later. In 1981, he put together a group to buy the team from the Carpenter family. He served as president and CEO until 1997, later becoming chairman and then chairman emeritus.
While the team had only four winning seasons during his time as CEO, they reached the World Series twice in that span. Giles also played a major role in building the 1980 World Series championship team. He convinced former owner Ruly Carpenter to sign star free agent Pete Rose.
John Middleton, the Phillies managing partner and CEO, spoke highly of Giles. Middleton said, "Bill helped to reshape our franchise from a traditional baseball club into a highly visible entertainment and business operation."
Creating a Lasting Legacy
Giles left a deep mark on the fan experience in Philadelphia. He pushed for the opening of Veterans Stadium in 1971 and Citizens Bank Park in 2004. He was also the creative force behind the Phillie Phanatic, the team's famous mascot.
In 1999, the team created the Bill Giles Award to honor minor league players who show a love for the game and a strong work ethic. Giles stepped back from daily duties that same year. He explained that the business side of the game had gotten to him, saying, "It was a strong suggestion, but it was my decision."
Former Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt also shared his thoughts. Schmidt called Giles "the heart and soul of the organization for over two decades."
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