John Sullivan, who grew up in Oreland, played Phil, one half of Phillies’ first mascot duo in the 1970s, and still keeps friendship with Nancy D’Egidio, who played Phillis, his female counterpart, writes Alex Coffey for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Debuting in 1971, the colonial-era adolescent twins were dressed in Revolutionary-era garb for the Phillies’ first season at Veterans Stadium. Their papier mâché costumes, weighing 20 pounds, were worn over their heads.
Sullivan played Phil from 1973 to 1978, while D’Egidio played Phillis for parts of 1976, 1977, and 1978.
The duo worked for the Philadelphia team long before they started performing as twins. They were friends before their mascot gig, but their time as siblings drew them closer, especially after discovering how much they had in common, including a love of baseball, similar taste in music, and the same sense of humor
Their friendship has lasted for more than five decades.
“We just have so much in common,” said Sullivan. “I don’t have a lot of friends left that share that same knowledge as Nancy. It’s very comfortable and easy to talk to her. “
Read more about John Sullivan in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
