Bill Giles, Longtime Philadelphia Phillies Owner and Executive, Dies at 92
He helped turn the Phillies into a business-minded entertainment brand and is credited with creating the Phillie Phanatic.
- Longtime Philadelphia Phillies executive Bill Giles died at age 92 on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, at his home in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania.
- Giles began his Phillies career in 1969 as vice president of business operations, rising to executive vice president before organizing a group to purchase the club in 1981.
- Instrumental in franchise modernization, Giles oversaw the opening of Veterans Stadium and Citizens Bank Park while conceiving the Phillie Phanatic, a mascot that became one of baseball's most recognizable symbols.
- Phillies Managing Partner and CEO John Middleton stated, "Bill helped to reshape our franchise from a traditional baseball club into a highly visible entertainment and business operation," while the team won World Series championships in 1980 and 2008 during his tenure.
- Beyond Philadelphia, Giles served on MLB committees that expanded the league to 30 teams and introduced interleague play; the Phillies announced funeral arrangements will be provided at a later date.
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Bill Giles, longtime Philadelphia Phillies owner and executive, dies at 92
MLB Pays Tribute After Phillies’ World Series Force Passes Away at 92
Bill Giles spent 50+ years reshaping the Philadelphia Phillies from a struggling franchise into a championship organization, and he did it without ever stepping on the field. For the Phillies, Giles was the force behind the move that brought Pete Rose to Philadelphia and helped secure the franchise’s first World Series championship in 1980. He […]
Bill Giles, longtime Phillies exec who helped create Phillie Phanatic, dead at 92
Bill Giles, the longtime Phillies executive and former owner, died Friday just 18 days after turning 92. He died at his home in Gladwyne, Pa., according to the Phillies. “The Phillies family lost an icon today,” Phillies managing partner and CEO John Middleton said in a statement from the organization. “Bill helped to reshape our...
After starting off in the team's business department, Bill Giles became Phillies vice president and later CEO.
Bill Giles, the former Phillies owner who helped create the Phillie Phanatic, has died at 92
Once described as “Philadelphia’s resident combination of P.T. Barnum and Walt Disney,” Mr. Giles got creative trying to attract fans. The biggest draw was the mascot he green lit in 1978.
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