Bill Giles, a prominent figure in Philadelphia Phillies history who rose from business executive to co-owner and president, died Friday at his home in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. He was 92.
Giles had a long tenure with the Phillies beginning in 1969. During his more than half-century with the organization, he is credited with conceiving the Phillie Phanatic mascot, one of baseball's most recognizable characters. ESPN reported that Giles also helped bring Pete Rose to Philadelphia.
Giles' influence shaped the franchise during a period that included some of the team's most successful eras, though the available reporting does not specify the details of his role in building championship teams.