Tom Burgoyne, the Phillie Phanatic's best friend and alter ego, has been a fixture at Major League Baseball (MLB) events for decades. His dedication to the role and his commitment to maintaining the magic of the Phanatic have been the subject of a new documentary, 'Big Phan', directed by Hoag Kepner. Burgoyne's journey began when he saw a newspaper ad for mascots and, with his high school mascot experience, landed the role of the backup Phillie Phanatic. Over time, he became the main man inside the iconic costume, bringing the Phanatic to life at All-Star Games and other MLB events. Despite his significant role, Burgoyne has always protected the Phanatic's identity, respecting the secrecy of other big-league mascots who have day jobs. However, he finally agreed to open up about his experiences for the documentary, drawing inspiration from a similar film about the Muppets. Burgoyne's favorite memory is from the 2002 Home Run Derby in Milwaukee, where the Phanatic almost made a play on a slide, but it missed by a second. This moment, he believes, could have been an iconic ESPN play of the day. Burgoyne's dedication to the role and his ability to separate the man from the bird have made him an integral part of the Phanatic's legacy, and he shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
