Bill Giles, the longtime Philadelphia Phillies executive credited with conceptualizing the Phillie Phanatic and spearheading the construction of both Veterans Stadium and Citizens Bank Park, died Friday, Sept. 25 at 92, the club announced.
Giles was a key figure in the Phillies' front office beginning in 1969, rising from business operations head to executive vice president to, in 1981, organizing a group that purchased the franchise, under which he served as president until 1997 and then chairman. The Phillies won the World Series in 1980 and again in 2008.
In his span, the Phillies moved into multipurpose Veterans Stadium, which they shared with the Philadlephia Eagles, before constructing their baseball-only ballpark on Broad Street that opened
in 2004 and has since hosted three World Series and, this past July, the All-Star Game.
Perhaps his most enduring contribution, visually, was conceiving the Phillie Phanatic, likely the most recognizable mascot across the major leagues.
“The Phillies family lost an icon today,” Phillies owner John Middleton said in a statement released by the club. “Bill helped to reshape our franchise from a traditional baseball club into a highly visible entertainment and business operation.
"His profound impact in overseeing one of the greatest eras in franchise history, both on and off the field, will forever be his legacy. Our hearts are heavy for the Giles family and all those who had the privilege of knowing Bill.”
Giles was named honorary National League president in 2001 and served on MLB committees that spearheaded the introduction of interleague play and the wild card.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bill Giles, longtime Phillies executive and father of Phanatic, dies at 92
