Philadelphia Folk Figure. Best known for his antics at Big 5 (Philadelphia City Series) basketball games at the Palestra, he was the unofficial mascot of the arena from the 1950s through the 1970s. He would come onto the court at halftime and do a little dance and then attempt a free throw, which he usually missed. After the construction of Veterans Stadium in 1971, he became a regular at Phillies games as well, usually sneaking in, and would dance to Hava Nagila. His popularity led to then Phillies President Bill Giles giving him a lifetime pass to the team in an on-field ceremony. When he passed away in 1979, the Phillies organization paid for his funeral and he was buried with a special unissued 1978 Phillies World Series pin.
Philadelphia Folk Figure. Best known for his antics at Big 5 (Philadelphia City Series) basketball games at the Palestra, he was the unofficial mascot of the arena from the 1950s through the 1970s. He would come onto the court at halftime and do a little dance and then attempt a free throw, which he usually missed. After the construction of Veterans Stadium in 1971, he became a regular at Phillies games as well, usually sneaking in, and would dance to Hava Nagila. His popularity led to then Phillies President Bill Giles giving him a lifetime pass to the team in an on-field ceremony. When he passed away in 1979, the Phillies organization paid for his funeral and he was buried with a special unissued 1978 Phillies World Series pin.
Bio by: Kenneth Gilbert
Inscription
Beloved Friend
Phillies Number One Fan
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
See more Shifren memorials in:
Advertisement
