MLB: The 5 Most Beloved Teams in Baseball

4. Philadelphia Phillies

As of right now, the Phillies may as well be the lovable losers of MLB. Failing to put together a winning record since 2011, the Phillies have had some bad years. Their star players got old, and it didn’t seem as if they had a very good back-up plan for when that happened. They are on the rise however, having started the 2016 season on the right foot and improved by eight wins from 2015. Despite their recent track record, the Phillies are still one of the most beloved teams in baseball.

First of all, the Phillies have the most iconic mascot in baseball. The Phillie Phanatic is known for his outrageous antics, and may as well be the only thing enticing Phillie fans these days. The Phanatic has been around since a staggering 1978, and any baseball fan would be lying if they said they didn’t love the Phanatic. Sure, a mascot isn’t really part of the team, but it still creates a connection with the average fan that increases their likability.

Overall, Philadelphia is one of the best, most passionate sports towns in America. In fact, from 2010-2012 the Phillies led MLB in attendance. While this point isn’t the most credible when it comes to ranking the most beloved teams, it shows the kind of passion Philadelphia can have. Sure, it has taken a massive hit over the years, but who wants to spend money to see a team that only wins 71 games? My point being, the day the Phillies again be successful, you bet all of America is going to be cheering for them. But for now, they may just be our lovable losers.