A Deep Dive on Mascots in Sports, Part Two: What Were They Thinking?

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The mascot is an ingrained part of sports. Pretty much every professional team, minor league team, and school team has a guy who dresses up in a ridiculous costume to hype up their team’s fans. Some of these mascots are fun and generally pleasant to be around, while others are absolutely insufferable.

In part one, we looked at those mascots that have successfully pulled off an iconic look. Since mascots are inherently a bit goofy, it’s inevitable that there would be some terrible mascots. Some of the worst mascots are those that have nothing to do with the team or city whatsoever, or are without any distinguishing features that set themselves apart.

Let’s take a look at a few of the more random mascots across the sporting world.

KC Wolf, Kansas City Chiefs

KC Wolf has to be one of the more obscure mascots in professional sports. He took over as the team’s mascot in 1989, succeeding Warpaint, a man in an Indian headdress riding a horse that was understandably replaced.

https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1670166927694606340

The team chose the Wolf as a shout-out to the Wolfpack, a group of diehard fans who frequented games until 1971 at the team’s former digs, Municipal Stadium. The idea to honour the team’s fans isn’t a bad one, but the result is horrific. Most people find it baffling that a wolf is the mascot, especially since he looks so damn silly. His eyes are all googly, which makes him look like a bit of a joke. The team could have done much better had they designed a more menacing wolf.

Philly Phanatic, Philadelphia Phillies

If you’re on the hunt for the biggest goon in the mascot world, look no further than the Philly Phanatic. Now listen, some people would consider the Phanatic to be one of the best mascots in sports, but he rubs me the wrong way. However, I will give some credit for establishing a notable brand for himself and link to the team he works for.

However, the Phanatic has a bit too many lame pranks for my liking. Pouring popcorn on broadcasters, dispensing silly string, and putting a ‘hex’ on opposing players is a bit ridiculous. Most of all, the worst thing about the Phanatic has got to be his obscure appearance. As a large flightless bird, it’s not exactly clear what he is, or what he’s up to. I always thought he was a bit shady, so it was no surprise when he became entangled in a legal battle in 2021.

Twinkie the Loon, Minnesota Twins

I had to go back in the history books for this one, pulling this unfathomable mascot from the early 1980’s. Twinkie is truly an example of what can happen when you flop hard on a mascot design. I mean have you seen this thing? This has got to be one of the least visually appealing mascots ever constructed. Pay no attention to the obscure decision to go with a loon as your mascot.

To make matters funnier, Twinkie the Loon’s main thing that he did was juggle. I have to be honest, I love the idea of a juggling loon, because why not? However, the stupid look of this bird ruined any chance of it surviving. The mediocre T.C. Bear took over in 2000, and has been the teams mascot ever since.

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